Amine-containing lipids and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

Nitrogen-containing lipids prepared from the conjugate addition of amines to acrylates, acrylamides, or other carbon-carbon double bonds conjugated to electron-withdrawing groups are described. Methods of preparing these lipids from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These amine-containing lipids or salts forms of these lipids are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the amino moiety of these lipids, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Complexes or nanoparticles containing the inventive lipid and polynucleotide have been prepared. The inventive lipids may also be used to in preparing microparticle for drug delivery. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional patent applications, U.S. Ser. No. 60/690,608, filed Jun. 15, 2005, and U.S. Ser. No. 60/785,176, filed Mar. 23, 2006, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

This invention was made with Government support under grant no. R01-EB000244 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The treatment of human diseases through the application of nucleotide-based drugs such as DNA and RNA has the potential to revolutionize the medical field (Anderson Nature 392(Suppl.):25-30, 1996; Friedman Nature Med. 2:144-147, 1996; Crystal Science 270:404-410, 1995; Mulligan Science 260:926-932, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Thus far, the use of modified viruses as gene transfer vectors has generally represented the most clinically successful approach to gene therapy. While viral vectors are currently the most efficient gene transfer agents, concerns surrounding the overall safety of viral vectors, which include the potential for unsolicited immune responses, have resulted in parallel efforts to develop non-viral alternatives (for leading references, see: Luo et al. Nat. Biotechnol. 18:33-37, 2000; Behr Acc. Chem. Res. 26:274-278, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Current alternatives to viral vectors include polymeric delivery systems (Zauner et al. Adv. Drug Del. Rev. 30:97-113, 1998; Kabanov et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 6:7-20, 1995; each of which is incorporated herein by reference), liposomal formulations (Miller Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 37:1768-1785, 1998; Hope et al. Molecular Membrane Technology 15:1-14, 1998; Deshmukh et al. New J. Chem. 21:113-124, 1997; each of which is incorporated herein by reference), and “naked” DNA injection protocols (Sanford Trends Biotechnol. 6:288-302, 1988; incorporated herein by reference). While these strategies have yet to achieve the clinical effectiveness of viral vectors, the potential safety, processing, and economic benefits offered by these methods (Anderson Nature 392(Suppl.):25-30, 1996; incorporated herein by reference) have ignited interest in the continued development of non-viral approaches to gene therapy (Boussif et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:7297-7301, 1995; Putnam et al. Macromolecules 32:3658-3662, 1999; Lim et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 121:5633-5639, 1999; Gonzalez et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 10:1068-1074, 1999; Kukowska-Latallo et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:4897-4902, 1996; Tang et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 7:703-714, 1996; Haensler et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 4:372-379, 1993; each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

There exists a continuing need for non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible lipids that can be used to transfect nucleic acids and that are easily prepared efficiently and economically. Such lipids would have several uses, including the delivery of nucleic acids in gene therapy as well as in the packaging and/or delivery of diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic agents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel lipids of the formula (I):

These lipids may be prepared by the addition of a primary amine to a double bond conjugated with an electron withdrawing groups such as a carbonyl moiety. Two equivalents of an α,β-unsaturated ketone such as an acrylate are reacted with one equivalent of a primary amine to prepare the inventive lipids as shown in the scheme below:

These lipids typically have a hydrophobic half and a hydrophilic half. The hydrophobic portion is typically provided by fatty acid moieties attached to the acrylate, and the hydrophilic portion is provided by the esters, amines, and side chain of the amine. The fatty acid groups may be straight chain alkyl groups (C₁-C₃₀) with no substitutions. In certain embodiments, the fatty acid groups are substituted and/or branched. The amine may be protonated or alkylated thereby forming a positively charged amine. These lipids may be used in the delivery of therapeutic agents to a subject. The inventive lipids are particularly useful in delivering negatively charged agents given the tertiary amine available for protonation thus forming a positive charge. For example, these lipids may be used to delivery DNA, RNA, or other polynucleotides to a subject or to a cell. As would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the above reaction may result in a mixture with some lipids have one acrylate tail and other having two acrylate tails. Also, two different acrylates may be used in the reaction mixture to prepare a lipid with two different acrylate tails.

In another aspect, the invention provides lipids of the formula (II):

Lipids of the formula (II) are prepared by the addition of a primary or secondary diamine to a double bond conjugated to an electron-withdrawing group such as a carbonyl. The lipids of formula (II) have two amines per lipid molecule as compared to the one amine per lipid molecule in the lipids of formula (I). These amines may be protonated or alkylated to form positively charged amino groups. These lipids may also be used to deliver DNA, RNA, or other polynucleotides. As with the primary amine, the acrylate tails may be the same or different. Also, the lipid may include any where from one acrylate tail to as many acrylate tails as is chemically possible.

In another aspect, the invention provides lipids of the formulae (III) or (IV):

Lipids of the formulae (III) or (IV) are prepared by the addition of primary or secondary amino groups to a double bond conjugated to an electron-withdrawing groups as a carbonyl. The lipids of formulae (III) and (IV) have multiple amino groups per lipid molecule. In certain embodiments, the number of amino groups per lipid molecule is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10. These amines may be protonated or alkylated to form positively charged amino groups. The acrylate tails may all be the same or they may be different. Any number of acrylate tails may be present on the molecule. The lipids may be used to delivery DNA, RNA, or other polynucleotides.

In one aspect of the invention, the inventive lipids are combined with an agent to form microparticles, liposomes, or micelles. The agent to be delivered by the microparticles, liposomes, or micelles may be in the form of a gas, liquid, or solid, and the agent may be a polynucleotide, protein, peptide, or small molecule. The inventive lipids may be combined with other lipids, polymers, surfactants, cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, etc. to form the particles. These particles may be combined with a pharmaceutically excipient to form pharmaceutical compositions.

The invention also provides methods of making the inventive lipids. Qne or more equivalents of an acrylate are allowed to react with one equivalent of a primary amine, diamine, or polyamine under suitable conditions to form a lipid of the formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV). In certain embodiments, all the amino groups of the amine are fully reacted with acrylates to form tertiary amines. In other embodiments, all the amino groups of the amine are not fully reacted with acrylate to form tertiary amines thereby resulting in primary or secondary amines in the lipid molecule. These primary or secondary amines are left as is or may be reacted with another electrophile such as a different acrylate. As will be appreciated by one of skill in this art, reacting an amine with less than an excess of acrylate will result in a plurality of different lipid amines. Certain molecules may include a full complement of acrylate moieties while other molecules will not include a full complement of acrylates. For example, a diamine or polyamine may include only one, two, three, four, five, or six acrylate moieties off the various amino moieties of the molecule resulting in primary, secondary, and tertiary amines. In certain embodiments, it is preferred that all the amino groups not be fully functionalized. In certain embodiments, the two of the same type of acrylate are used. In other embodiments, two or more different acrylates are used. The synthesis of the lipid may be performed with or without solvent, and the synthesis may be performed at temperatures ranging from 25° C. to 100° C., preferably approximately 95° C. The prepared lipids may be optionally purified. For example, the mixture of lipids may be purified to yield a lipid with a certain number of acrylate moieties. The lipids may also be alkylated using an alkyl halide (e.g., methyl iodide) or other alkylating agent.

The invention also provides libraries of lipids prepared by the inventive methods. These lipids may be prepared and/or screened using high-throughput techniques involving liquid handlers, robots, microtiter plates, computers, etc. In certain embodiments, the lipids are screened for their ability to transfect DNA, RNA, or other polynucleotides into the cell.

DEFINITIONS

Definitions of specific functional groups and chemical terms are described in more detail below. For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75th Ed., inside cover, and specific functional groups are generally defined as described therein. Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry, as well as specific functional moieties and reactivity, are described in “Organic Chemistry”, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito: 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Certain compounds of the present invention may exist in particular geometric or stereoisomeric forms. The present invention contemplates all such compounds, including cis- and trans-isomers, R- and S-enantiomers, diastereomers, (D)-isomers, (L)-isomers, the racemic mixtures thereof, and other mixtures thereof, as falling within the scope of the invention. Additional asymmetric carbon atoms may be present in a substituent such as an alkyl group. All such isomers, as well as mixtures thereof, are intended to be included in this invention.

Isomeric mixtures containing any of a variety of isomer ratios may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. For example, where only two isomers are combined, mixtures containing 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20, 90:10, 95:5, 96:4, 97:3, 98:2, 99:1, or 100:0 isomer ratios are all contemplated by the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that analogous ratios are contemplated for more complex isomer mixtures.

If, for instance, a particular enantiomer of a compound of the present invention is desired, it may be prepared by asymmetric synthesis, or by derivation with a chiral auxiliary, where the resulting diastereomeric mixture is separated and the auxiliary group cleaved to provide the pure desired enantiomers. Alternatively, where the molecule contains a basic functional group, such as amino, or an acidic functional group, such as carboxyl, diastereomeric salts are formed with an appropriate optically-active acid or base, followed by resolution of the diastereomers thus formed by fractional crystallization or chromatographic means well known in the art, and subsequent recovery of the pure enantiomers.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the synthetic methods, as described herein, utilize a variety of protecting groups. By the term “protecting group”, as used herein, it is meant that a particular functional moiety, e.g., O, S, or N, is temporarily blocked so that a reaction can be carried out selectively at another reactive site in a multifunctional compound. In preferred embodiments, a protecting group reacts selectively in good yield to give a protected substrate that is stable to the projected reactions; the protecting group should be selectively removable in good yield by readily available, preferably non-toxic reagents that do not attack the other functional groups; the protecting group forms an easily separable derivative (more preferably without the generation of new stereogenic centers); and the protecting group has a minimum of additional functionality to avoid further sites of reaction. As detailed herein, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon protecting groups may be utilized. Hydroxyl protecting groups include methyl, methoxylmethyl (MOM), methylthiomethyl (MTM), t-butylthiomethyl, (phenyldimethylsilyl)methoxymethyl (SMOM), benzyloxymethyl (BOM), p-methoxybenzyloxymethyl (PMBM), (4-methoxyphenoxy)methyl (p-AOM), guaiacolmethyl (GUM), t-butoxymethyl, 4-pentenyloxymethyl (POM), siloxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl (MEM), 2,2,2-trichloroethoxymethyl, bis(2-chloroethoxy)methyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl (SEMOR), tetrahydropyranyl (THP), 3-bromotetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 1-methoxycyclohexyl, 4-methoxytetrahydropyranyl (MTHP), 4-methoxytetrahydrothiopyranyl, 4-methoxytetrahydrothiopyranyl S,S-dioxide, 1-[(2-chloro-4-methyl)phenyl]-4-methoxypiperidin-4-yl (CTMP), 1,4-dioxan-2-yl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiofuranyl, 2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,7a-octahydro-7,8,8-trimethyl-4,7-methanobenzofuran-2-yl, 1-ethoxyethyl, 1-(2-chloroethoxy)ethyl, 1-methyl-1-methoxyethyl, 1-methyl-1-benzyloxyethyl, 1-methyl-1-benzyloxy-2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, 2-(phenylselenyl)ethyl, t-butyl, allyl, p-chlorophenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl, o-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-halobenzyl, 2,6-dichlorobenzyl, p-cyanobenzyl, p-phenylbenzyl, 2-picolyl, 4-picolyl, 3-methyl-2-picolyl N-oxido, diphenylmethyl, p,p′-dinitrobenzhydryl, 5-dibenzosuberyl, triphenylmethyl, α-naphthyldiphenylmethyl, p-methoxyphenyldiphenylmethyl, di(p-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethyl, tri(p-methoxyphenyl)methyl, 4-(4′-bromophenacyloxyphenyl)diphenylmethyl, 4,4′,4″-tris(4,5-dichlorophthalimidophenyl)methyl, 4,4′,4″-tris(levulinoyloxyphenyl)methyl, 4,4′,4″-tris(benzoyloxyphenyl)methyl, 3-(imidazol-1-yl)bis(4′,4″-dimethoxyphenyl)methyl, 1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1′-pyrenylmethyl, 9-anthryl, 9-(9-phenyl)xanthenyl, 9-(9-phenyl-10-oxo)anthryl, 1,3-benzodithiolan-2-yl, benzisothiazolyl S,S-dioxido, trimethylsilyl (TMS), triethylsilyl (TES), triisopropylsilyl (TIPS), dimethylisopropylsilyl (IPDMS), diethylisopropylsilyl (DEIPS), dimethylthexylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), t-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS), tribenzylsilyl, tri-p-xylylsilyl, triphenylsilyl, diphenylmethylsilyl (DPMS), t-butylmethoxyphenylsilyl (TBMPS), formate, benzoylformate, acetate, chloroacetate, dichloroacetate, trichloroacetate, trifluoroacetate, methoxyacetate, triphenylmethoxyacetate, phenoxyacetate, p-chlorophenoxyacetate, 3-phenylpropionate, 4-oxopentanoate (levulinate), 4,4-(ethylenedithio)pentanoate (levulinoyldithioacetal), pivaloate, adamantoate, crotonate, 4-methoxycrotonate, benzoate, p-phenylbenzoate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoate (mesitoate), alkyl methyl carbonate, 9-fluorenylmethyl carbonate (Fmoc), alkyl ethyl carbonate, alkyl 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbonate (Troc), 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl carbonate (TMSEC), 2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl carbonate (Psec), 2-(triphenylphosphonio) ethyl carbonate (Peoc), alkyl isobutyl carbonate, alkyl vinyl carbonate alkyl allyl carbonate, alkyl p-nitrophenyl carbonate, alkyl benzyl carbonate, alkyl p-methoxybenzyl carbonate, alkyl 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl carbonate, alkyl o-nitrobenzyl carbonate, alkyl p-nitrobenzyl carbonate, alkyl S-benzyl thiocarbonate, 4-ethoxy-1-napththyl carbonate, methyl dithiocarbonate, 2-iodobenzoate, 4-azidobutyrate, 4-nitro-4-methylpentanoate, o-(dibromomethyl)benzoate, 2-formylbenzenesulfonate, 2-(methylthiomethoxy)ethyl, 4-(methylthiomethoxy)butyrate, 2-(methylthiomethoxymethyl)benzoate, 2,6-dichloro-4-methylphenoxyacetate, 2,6-dichloro-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxyacetate, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenoxyacetate, chlorodiphenylacetate, isobutyrate, monosuccinoate, (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate, o-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoate, α-naphthoate, nitrate, alkyl N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylphosphorodiamidate, alkyl N-phenylcarbamate, borate, dimethylphosphinothioyl, alkyl 2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenate, sulfate, methanesulfonate (mesylate), benzylsulfonate, and tosylate (Ts). For protecting 1,2- or 1,3-diols, the protecting groups include methylene acetal, ethylidene acetal, 1-t-butylethylidene ketal, 1-phenylethylidene ketal, (4-methoxyphenyl)ethylidene acetal, 2,2,2-trichloroethylidene acetal, acetonide, cyclopentylidene ketal, cyclohexylidene ketal, cycloheptylidene ketal, benzylidene acetal, p-methoxybenzylidene acetal, 2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene ketal, 3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene acetal, 2-nitrobenzylidene acetal, methoxymethylene acetal, ethoxymethylene acetal, dimethoxymethylene ortho ester, 1-methoxyethylidene ortho ester, 1-ethoxyethylidine ortho ester, 1,2-dimethoxyethylidene ortho ester, α-methoxybenzylidene ortho ester, 1-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethylidene derivative, α-(N,N′-dimethylamino)benzylidene derivative, 2-oxacyclopentylidene ortho ester, di-t-butylsilylene group (DTBS), 1,3-(1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxanylidene) derivative (TIPDS), tetra-t-butoxydisiloxane-1,3-diylidene derivative (TBDS), cyclic carbonates, cyclic boronates, ethyl boronate, and phenyl boronate. Amino-protecting groups include methyl carbamate, ethyl carbamante, 9-fluorenylmethyl carbamate (Fmoc), 9-(2-sulfo)fluorenylmethyl carbamate, 9-(2,7-dibromo)fluoroenylmethyl carbamate, 2,7-di-t-butyl-[9-(10,10-dioxo-10,10,10,10-tetrahydrothioxanthyl)]methyl carbamate (DBD-Tmoc), 4-methoxyphenacyl carbamate (Phenoc), 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbamate (Troc), 2-trimethylsilylethyl carbamate (Teoc), 2-phenylethyl carbamate (hZ), 1-(1-adamantyl)-1-methylethyl carbamate (Adpoc), 1,1-dimethyl-2-haloethyl carbamate, 1,1-dimethyl-2,2-dibromoethyl carbamate (DB-t-BQC), 1,1-dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbamate (TCBOC), 1-methyl-1-(4-biphenylyl)ethyl carbamate (Bpoc), 1-(3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)-1-methylethyl carbamate (t-Bumeoc), 2-(2′- and 4′-pyridyl)ethyl carbamate (Pyoc), 2-(N,N-dicyclohexylcarboxamido)ethyl carbamate, t-butyl carbamate (BOC), 1-adamantyl carbamate (Adoc), vinyl carbamate (Voc), allyl carbamate (Alloc), 1-isopropylallyl carbamate (Ipaoc), cinnamyl carbamate (Coc), 4-nitrocinnamyl carbamate (Noc), 8-quinolyl carbamate, N-hydroxypiperidinyl carbamate, alkyldithio carbamate, benzyl carbamate (Cbz), p-methoxybenzyl carbamate (Moz), p-nitobenzyl carbamate, p-bromobenzyl carbamate, p-chlorobenzyl carbamate, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl carbamate, 4-methylsulfinylbenzyl carbamate (Msz), 9-anthrylmethyl carbamate, diphenylmethyl carbamate, 2-methylthioethyl carbamate, 2-methylsulfonylethyl carbamate, 2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)ethyl carbamate, [2-(1,3-dithianyl)]methyl carbamate (Dmoc), 4-methylthiophenyl carbamate (Mtpc), 2,4-dimethylthiophenyl carbamate (Bmpc), 2-phosphonioethyl carbamate (Peoc), 2-triphenylphosphonioisopropyl carbamate (Ppoc), 1,1-dimethyl-2-cyanoethyl carbamate, m-chloro-p-acyloxybenzyl carbamate, p-(dihydroxyboryl)benzyl carbamate, 5-benzisoxazolylmethyl carbamate, 2-(trifluoromethyl)-6-chromonylmethyl carbamate (Tcroc), m-nitrophenyl carbamate, 3,5-dimethoxybenzyl carbamate, o-nitrobenzyl carbamate, 3,4-dimethoxy-6-nitrobenzyl carbamate, phenyl(o-nitrophenyl)methyl carbamate, phenothiazinyl-(10)-carbonyl derivative, N′-p-toluenesulfonylaminocarbonyl derivative, N′-phenylaminothiocarbonyl derivative, t-amyl carbamate, S-benzyl thiocarbamate, p-cyanobenzyl carbamate, cyclobutyl carbamate, cyclohexyl carbamate, cyclopentyl carbamate, cyclopropylmethyl carbamate, p-decyloxybenzyl carbamate, 2,2-dimethoxycarbonylvinyl carbamate, o-(N,N-dimethylcarboxamido)benzyl carbamate, 1,1-dimethyl-3-(N,N-dimethylcarboxamido)propyl carbamate, 1,1-dimethylpropynyl carbamate, di(2-pyridyl)methyl carbamate, 2-furanylmethyl carbamate, 2-iodoethyl carbamate, isoborynl carbamate, isobutyl carbamate, isonicotinyl carbamate, p-(p′-methoxyphenylazo)benzyl carbamate, 1-methylcyclobutyl carbamate, 1-methylcyclohexyl carbamate, 1-methyl-1-cyclopropylmethyl carbamate, 1-methyl-1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl carbamate, 1-methyl-1-(p-phenylazophenyl)ethyl carbamate, 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl carbamate, 1-methyl-1-(4-pyridyl)ethyl carbamate, phenyl carbamate, p-(phenylazo)benzyl carbamate, 2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl carbamate, 4-(trimethylammonium)benzyl carbamate, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl carbamate, formamide, acetamide, chloroacetamide, trichloroacetamide, trifluoroacetamide, phenylacetamide, 3-phenylpropanamide, picolinamide, 3-pyridylcarboxamide, N-benzoylphenylalanyl derivative, benzamide, p-phenylbenzamide, o-nitophenylacetamide, o-nitrophenoxyacetamide, acetoacetamide, (N′-dithiobenzyloxycarbonylamino)acetamide, 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propanamide, 3-(o-nitrophenyl)propanamide, 2-methyl-2-(o-nitrophenoxy)propanamide, 2-methyl-2-(o-phenylazophenoxy)propanamide, 4-chlorobutanamide, 3-methyl-3-nitrobutanamide, o-nitrocinnamide, N-acetylmethionine derivative, o-nitrobenzamide, o-(benzoyloxymethyl)benzamide, 4,5-diphenyl-3-oxazolin-2-one, N-phthalimide, N-dithiasuccinimide (Dts), N-2,3-diphenylmaleimide, N-2,5-dimethylpyrrole, N-1,1,4,4-tetramethyldisilylazacyclopentane adduct (STABASE), 5-substituted 1,3-dimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexan-2-one, 5-substituted 1,3-dibenzyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexan-2-one, 1-substituted 3,5-dinitro-4-pyridone, N-methylamine, N-allylamine, N-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methylamine (SEM), N-3-acetoxypropylamine, N-(1-isopropyl-4-nitro-2-oxo-3-pyroolin-3-yl)amine, quaternary ammonium salts, N-benzylamine, N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)methylamine, N-5-dibenzosuberylamine, N-triphenylmethylamine (Tr), N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylmethyl]amine (MMTr), N-9-phenylfluorenylamine (PhF), N-2,7-dichloro-9-fluorenylmethyleneamine, N-ferrocenylmethylamino (Fcm), N-2-picolylamino N′-oxide, N-1,1-dimethylthiomethyleneamine, N-benzylideneamine, N-p-methoxybenzylideneamine, N-diphenylmethyleneamine, N-[(2-pyridyl)mesityl]methyleneamine, N—(N′,N′-dimethylaminomethylene)amine, N,N′-isopropylidenediamine, N-p-nitrobenzylideneamine, N-salicylideneamine, N-5-chlorosalicylideneamine, N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethyleneamine, N-cyclohexylideneamine, N-(5,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexenyl)amine, N-borane derivative, N-diphenylborinic acid derivative, N-[phenyl(pentacarbonylchromium- or tungsten)carbonyl]amine, N-copper chelate, N-zinc chelate, N-nitroamine, N-nitrosoamine, amine N-oxide, diphenylphosphinamide (Dpp), dimethylthiophosphinamide (Mpt), diphenylthiophosphinamide (Ppt), dialkyl phosphoramidates, dibenzyl phosphoramidate, diphenyl phosphoramidate, benzenesulfenamide, o-nitrobenzenesulfenamide (Nps), 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfenamide, pentachlorobenzenesulfenamide, 2-nitro-4-methoxybenzenesulfenamide, triphenylmethylsulfenamide, 3-nitropyridinesulfenamide (Npys), p-toluenesulfonamide (Ts), benzenesulfonamide, 2,3,6,-trimethyl-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mtr), 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mtb), 2,6-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Pme), 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mte), 4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mbs), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamide (Mts), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (iMds), 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonamide (Pmc), methanesulfonamide (Ms), β-trimethylsilylethanesulfonamide (SES), 9-anthracenesulfonamide, 4-(4′,8′-dimethoxynaphthylmethyl)benzenesulfonamide (DNMBS), benzylsulfonamide, trifluoromethylsulfonamide, and phenacylsulfonamide. Exemplary protecting groups are detailed herein, however, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be limited to these protecting groups; rather, a variety of additional equivalent protecting groups can be readily identified using the above criteria and utilized in the method of the present invention. Additionally, a variety of protecting groups are described in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Third Ed. Greene, T. W. and Wuts, P. G., Eds., John Wiley & Sons, New York: 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

It will be appreciated that the compounds, as described herein, may be substituted with any number of substituents or functional moieties. In general, the term “substituted” whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, and substituents contained in formulas of this invention, refer to the replacement of hydrogen radicals in a given structure with the radical of a specified substituent. When more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic substituents of organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valencies of the heteroatoms. Furthermore, this invention is not intended to be limited in any manner by the permissible substituents of organic compounds. Combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are preferably those that result in the formation of stable compounds useful in the treatment, for example, of infectious diseases or proliferative disorders. The term “stable”, as used herein, preferably refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and which maintain the integrity of the compound for a sufficient period of time to be detected and preferably for a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailed herein.

The term “aliphatic”, as used herein, includes both saturated and unsaturated, straight chain (i.e., unbranched), branched, acyclic, cyclic, or polycyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are optionally substituted with one or more functional groups. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, “aliphatic” is intended herein to include, but is not limited to, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, and cycloalkynyl moieties. Thus, as used herein, the term “alkyl” includes straight, branched and cyclic alkyl groups. An analogous convention applies to other generic terms such as “alkenyl”, “alkynyl”, and the like. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “alkyl”, “alkenyl”, “alkynyl”, and the like encompass both substituted and unsubstituted groups. In certain embodiments, as used herein, “lower alkyl” is used to indicate those alkyl groups (cyclic, acyclic, substituted, unsubstituted, branched or unbranched) having 1-6 carbon atoms.

In certain embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-4 carbon atoms. Illustrative aliphatic groups thus include, but are not limited to, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, —CH₂-cyclopropyl, vinyl, allyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, cyclobutyl, —CH₂-cyclobutyl, n-pentyl, sec-pentyl, isopentyl, tert-pentyl, cyclopentyl, —CH₂-cyclopentyl, n-hexyl, sec-hexyl, cyclohexyl, —CH₂-cyclohexyl moieties and the like, which again, may bear one or more substituents. Alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, 1-methyl-2-buten-1-yl, and the like. Representative alkynyl groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, 2-propynyl (propargyl), 1-propynyl, and the like.

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to saturated, straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbon radicals derived from a hydrocarbon moiety containing between one and twenty carbon atoms by removal of a single hydrogen atom. Examples of alkyl radicals include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, neopentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, and dodecyl.

The term “alkenyl” denotes a monovalent group derived from a hydrocarbon moiety having at least one carbon-carbon double bond by the removal of a single hydrogen atom. Alkenyl groups include, for example, ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, 1-methyl-2-buten-1-yl, and the like.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein refers to a monovalent group derived form a hydrocarbon having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond by the removal of a single hydrogen atom. Representative alkynyl groups include ethynyl, 2-propynyl (propargyl), 1-propynyl, and the like.

The term “alkoxy”, or “thioalkyl” as used herein refers to an alkyl group, as previously defined, attached to the parent molecule through an oxygen atom or through a sulfur atom. In certain embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups contain 1-20 alipahtic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups contain 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups contain 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups contain 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of alkoxy, include but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy, neopentoxy, and n-hexoxy. Examples of thioalkyl include, but are not limited to, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, n-butylthio, and the like.

The term “alkylamino” refers to a group having the structure —NHR′, wherein R′ is aliphatic, as defined herein. In certain embodiments, the aliphatic group contains 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the aliphatic group contains 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the aliphatic group employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the aliphatic group contains 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the aliphatic group contains 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of alkylamino groups include, but are not limited to, methylamino, ethylamino, n-propylamino, iso-propylamino, cyclopropylamino, n-butylamino, tert-butylamino, neopentylamino, n-pentylamino, hexylamino, cyclohexylamino, and the like.

The term “carboxylic acid” as used herein refers to a group of formula —CO₂H.

The term “dialkylamino” refers to a group having the structure —NRR′, wherein R and R′ are each an aliphatic group, as defined herein. R and R′ may be the same or different in an dialkyamino moiety. In certain embodiments, the aliphatic groups contains 1-20 aliphatic carbon atoms. In certain other embodiments, the aliphatic groups contains 1-10 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the aliphatic groups employed in the invention contain 1-8 aliphatic carbon atoms. In still other embodiments, the aliphatic groups contains 1-6 aliphatic carbon atoms. In yet other embodiments, the aliphatic groups contains 1-4 aliphatic carbon atoms. Examples of dialkylamino groups include, but are not limited to, dimethylamino, methyl ethylamino, diethylamino, methylpropylamino, di(n-propyl)amino, di(iso-propyl)amino, di(cyclopropyl)amino, di(n-butyl)amino, di(tert-butyl)amino, di(neopentyl)amino, di(n-pentyl)amino, di(hexyl)amino, di(cyclohexyl)amino, and the like. In certain embodiments, R and R′ are linked to form a cyclic structure. The resulting cyclic structure may be aromatic or non-aromatic. Examples of cyclic diaminoalkyl groups include, but are not limted to, aziridinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, 1,3,4-trianolyl, and tetrazolyl.

Some examples of substituents of the above-described aliphatic (and other) moieties of compounds of the invention include, but are not limited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; F; Cl; Br; I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x) wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substituents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

In general, the terms “aryl” and “heteroaryl”, as used herein, refer to stable mono- or polycyclic, heterocyclic, polycyclic, and polyheterocyclic unsaturated moieties having preferably 3-14 carbon atoms, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted. Substituents include, but are not limited to, any of the previously mentioned substitutents, i.e., the substituents recited for aliphatic moieties, or for other moieties as disclosed herein, resulting in the formation of a stable compound. In certain embodiments of the present invention, “aryl” refers to a mono- or bicyclic carbocyclic ring system having one or two aromatic rings including, but not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, and the like. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the term “heteroaryl”, as used herein, refers to a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from S, O, and N; zero, one, or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from S, O, and N; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon, the radical being joined to the rest of the molecule via any of the ring atoms, such as, for example, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isooxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and the like.

It will be appreciated that aryl and heteroaryl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted, wherein substitution includes replacement of one, two, three, or more of the hydrogen atoms thereon independently with any one or more of the following moieties including, but not limited to: aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substitutents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

The term “cycloalkyl”, as used herein, refers specifically to groups having three to seven, preferably three to ten carbon atoms. Suitable cycloalkyls include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like, which, as in the case of other aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, or heterocyclic moieties, may optionally be substituted with substituents including, but not limited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substitutents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

The term “heteroaliphatic”, as used herein, refers to aliphatic moieties that contain one or more oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, or silicon atoms, e.g., in place of carbon atoms. Heteroaliphatic moieties may be branched, unbranched, cyclic or acyclic and include saturated and unsaturated heterocycles such as morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, etc. In certain embodiments, heteroaliphatic moieties are substituted by independent replacement of one or more of the hydrogen atoms thereon with one or more moieties including, but not limited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substitutents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples that are described herein.

The terms “halo” and “halogen” as used herein refer to an atom selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “haloalkyl” denotes an alkyl group, as defined above, having one, two, or three halogen atoms attached thereto and is exemplified by such groups as chloromethyl, bromoethyl, trifluoromethyl, and the like.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” or “heterocycle”, as used herein, refers to a non-aromatic 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring or a polycyclic group, including, but not limited to a bi- or tri-cyclic group comprising fused six-membered rings having between one and three heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, wherein (i) each 5-membered ring has 0 to 1 double bonds and each 6-membered ring has 0 to 2 double bonds, (ii) the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be optionally be oxidized, (iii) the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally be quaternized, and (iv) any of the above heterocyclic rings may be fused to a benzene ring. Representative heterocycles include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, and tetrahydrofuryl. In certain embodiments, a “substituted heterocycloalkyl or heterocycle” group is utilized and as used herein, refers to a heterocycloalkyl or heterocycle group, as defined above, substituted by the independent replacement of one, two or three of the hydrogen atoms thereon with but are not limited to aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CON(R_(x))₂; —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently includes, but is not limited to, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl, wherein any of the aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched, cyclic or acyclic, and wherein any of the aryl or heteroaryl substituents described above and herein may be substituted or unsubstituted. Additional examples of generally applicable substitutents are illustrated by the specific embodiments shown in the Examples which are described herein.

“Carbocycle”: The term “carbocycle”, as used herein, refers to an aromatic or non-aromatic ring in which each atom of the ring is a carbon atom.

“Independently selected”: The term “independently selected” is used herein to indicate that the R groups can be identical or different.

“Labeled”: As used herein, the term “labeled” is intended to mean that a compound has at least one element, isotope, or chemical compound attached to enable the detection of the compound. In general, labels typically fall into three classes: a) isotopic labels, which may be radioactive or heavy isotopes, including, but not limited to, ²H, ³H, ³²P, ³⁵S, ⁶⁷Ga, ^(99m)Tc (Tc-99m), ¹¹¹In, ¹²³I, ¹²⁵I, ¹⁶⁹Yb and ¹⁸⁶Re; b) immune labels, which may be antibodies or antigens, which may be bound to enzymes (such as horseradish peroxidase) that produce detectable agents; and c) colored, luminescent, phosphorescent, or fluorescent dyes. It will be appreciated that the labels may be incorporated into the compound at any position that does not interfere with the biological activity or characteristic of the compound that is being detected. In certain embodiments of the invention, photoaffinity labeling is utilized for the direct elucidation of intermolecular interactions in biological systems. A variety of known photophores can be employed, most relying on photoconversion of diazo compounds, azides, or diazirines to nitrenes or carbenes (See, Bayley, H., Photogenerated Reagents in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1983), Elsevier, Amsterdam.), the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In certain embodiments of the invention, the photoaffinity labels employed are o-, m- and p-azidobenzoyls, substituted with one or more halogen moieties, including, but not limited to 4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid.

The terms halo and halogen as used herein refer to an atom selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

The term “heterocyclic”, as used herein, refers to a non-aromatic partially unsaturated or fully saturated 3- to 10-membered ring system, which includes single rings of 3 to 8 atoms in size and bi- and tri-cyclic ring systems which may include aromatic six-membered aryl or aromatic heterocyclic groups fused to a non-aromatic ring. These heterocyclic rings include those having from one to three heteroatoms independently selected from oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen, in which the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatom may optionally be quaternized.

The term “heteroaryl”, as used herein, refers to a cyclic aromatic radical having from five to ten ring atoms of which one ring atom is selected from sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen; zero, one, or two ring atoms are additional heteroatoms independently selected from sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen; and the remaining ring atoms are carbon, the radical being joined to the rest of the molecule via any of the ring atoms, such as, for example, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isooxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, and the like.

Specific heterocyclic and aromatic heterocyclic groups that may be included in the compounds of the invention include: 3-methyl-4-(3-methylphenyl)piperazine, 3 methylpiperidine, 4-(bis-(4-fluorophenyl)methyl)piperazine, 4-(diphenylmethyl)piperazine, 4-(ethoxycarbonyl)piperazine, 4-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)piperazine, 4-(phenylmethyl)piperazine, 4-(1-phenylethyl)piperazine, 4-(1,1-dimethylethoxycarbonyl)piperazine, 4-(2-(bis-(2-propenyl)amino)ethyl)piperazine, 4-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)piperazine, 4-(2-chlorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-cyanophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-ethoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-ethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-fluorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine, 4-(2-methoxyethyl)piperazine, 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-methylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-methylthiophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-nitrophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-nitrophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2-phenylethyl)piperazine, 4-(2-pyridyl)piperazine, 4-(2-pyrimidinyl)piperazine, 4-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(3-methylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)piperazine, 4-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-(phenylmethoxy)phenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-(3,1-dimethylethyl)phenylmethyl)piperazine, 4-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methylpiperazine, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-chlorophenylmethyl)piperazine, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-methylphenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazine, 4-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine, 4-cyclohexylpiperazine, 4-ethylpiperazine, 4-hydroxy-4-(4-chlorophenyl)methylpiperidine, 4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidine, 4-hydroxypyrrolidine, 4-methylpiperazine, 4-phenylpiperazine, 4-piperidinylpiperazine, 4-(2-furanyl)carbonyl)piperazine, 4-((1,3-dioxolan-5-yl)methyl)piperazine, 6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methylquinoline, 1,4-diazacylcloheptane, 2,3-dihydroindolyl, 3,3-dimethylpiperidine, 4,4-ethylenedioxypiperidine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline, azacyclooctane, decahydroquinoline, piperazine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, thiomorpholine, and triazole.

The terms “substituted,” whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, and substituent, as used herein, refer to the ability, as appreciated by one skilled in this art, to change one functional group for another functional group provided that the valency of all atoms is maintained. When more than one position in any given structure may be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent may be either the same or different at every position. The substituents may also be further substituted (e.g., an aryl group substituent may have another substituent off it, such as another aryl group, which is further substituted with fluorine at one or more positions).

The following are more general terms used throughout the present application:

“Animal”: The term animal, as used herein, refers to humans as well as non-human animals, including, for example, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Preferably, the non-human animal is a mammal (e.g., a rodent, a mouse, a rat, a rabbit, a monkey, a dog, a cat, a primate, or a pig). An animal may be a transgenic animal.

“Associated with”: When two entities are “associated with” one another as described herein, they are linked by a direct or indirect covalent or non-covalent interaction. Preferably, the association is covalent. Desirable non-covalent interactions include hydrogen bonding, van der Waals interactions, hydrophobic interactions, magnetic interactions, electrostatic interactions, etc.

“Biocompatible”: The term “biocompatible”, as used herein is intended to describe compounds that are not toxic to cells. Compounds are “biocompatible” if their addition to cells in vitro results in less than or equal to 20% cell death, and their administration in vivo does not induce inflammation or other such adverse effects.

“Biodegradable”: As used herein, “biodegradable” compounds are those that, when introduced into cells, are broken down by the cellular machinery or by hydrolysis into components that the cells can either reuse or dispose of without significant toxic effect on the cells (i.e., fewer than about 20% of the cells are killed when the components are added to cells in vitro). The components preferably do not induce inflammation or other adverse effects in vivo. In certain preferred embodiments, the chemical reactions relied upon to break down the biodegradable compounds are uncatalyzed.

“Effective amount”: In general, the “effective amount” of an active agent or drug delivery device refers to the amount necessary to elicit the desired biological response. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in this art, the effective amount of an agent or device may vary depending on such factors as the desired biological endpoint, the agent to be delivered, the composition of the encapsulating matrix, the target tissue, etc. For example, the effective amount of microparticles containing an antigen to be delivered to immunize an individual is the amount that results in an immune response sufficient to prevent infection with an organism having the administered antigen.

“Peptide” or “protein”: According to the present invention, a “peptide” or “protein” comprises a string of at least three amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. The terms “protein” and “peptide” may be used interchangeably. Peptide may refer to an individual peptide or a collection of peptides. Inventive peptides preferably contain only natural amino acids, although non-natural amino acids (i.e., compounds that do not occur in nature but that can be incorporated into a polypeptide chain) and/or amino acid analogs as are known in the art may alternatively be employed. Also, one or more of the amino acids in an inventive peptide may be modified, for example, by the addition of a chemical entity such as a carbohydrate group, a phosphate group, a farnesyl group, an isofarnesyl group, a fatty acid group, a linker for conjugation, functionalization, or other modification, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the modifications of the peptide lead to a more stable peptide (e.g., greater half-life in vivo). These modifications may include cyclization of the peptide, the incorporation of D-amino acids, etc. None of the modifications should substantially interfere with the desired biological activity of the peptide.

“Polynucleotide” or “oligonucleotide”: Polynucleotide or oligonucleotide refers to a polymer of nucleotides. Typically, a polynucleotide comprises at least three nucleotides. The polymer may include natural nucleosides (i.e., adenosine, thymidine, guanosine, cytidine, uridine, deoxyadenosine, deoxythymidine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxycytidine), nucleoside analogs (e.g., 2-aminoadenosine, 2-thiothymidine, inosine, pyrrolo-pyrimidine, 3-methyl adenosine, C5-propynylcytidine, C5-propynyluridine, C5-bromouridine, C5-fluorouridine, C5-iodouridine, C5-methylcytidine, 7-deazaadenosine, 7-deazaguanosine, 8-oxoadenosine, 8-oxoguanosine, O(6)-methylguanine, and 2-thiocytidine), chemically modified bases, biologically modified bases (e.g., methylated bases), intercalated bases, modified sugars (e.g., 2% fluororibose, ribose, 2′-deoxyribose, arabinose, and hexose), or modified phosphate groups (e.g., phosphorothioates and 5′-N-phosphoramidite linkages).

“Small molecule”: As used herein, the term “small molecule” refers to organic compounds, whether naturally-occurring or artificially created (e.g., via chemical synthesis) that have relatively low molecular weight and that are not proteins, polypeptides, or nucleic acids. Typically, small molecules have a molecular weight of less than about 1500 g/mol. Also, small molecules typically have multiple carbon-carbon bonds. Known naturally-occurring small molecules include, but are not limited to, penicillin, erythromycin, taxol, cyclosporin, and rapamycin. Known synthetic small molecules include, but are not limited to, ampicillin, methicillin, sulfamethoxazole, and sulfonamides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows acrylates and amines used in the synthesis of exemplary amine-containing lipids.

FIG. 2 shows ¹H NMR spectra of lipids LD28 (A), LD86 (B), LD87 (C), ND32 (D), ND86 (E), and ND87 (F).

FIG. 3 shows the DNA transfection efficiency of several of the inventive amine-containing lipids.

FIG. 4 shows the percentage of luciferase knockdown for several of the inventive lipids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel lipids and delivery systems based on the use of amino lipids. The system may be used in the pharmaceutical/drug delivery arts to delivery polynucleotides, proteins, small molecules, peptides, antigen, drugs, etc. to a patient, tissue, organ, cell, etc.

The amino lipids of the present invention provide for several different uses in the drug delivery art. The lipids with their amine-containing hydrophilic portion may be used to complex polynucleotides and thereby enhance the delivery of polynucleotide and prevent their degradation. The lipids may also be used in the formation of nanoparticles, microparticles, liposomes, and micelles containing the agent to be delivered. Preferably, the lipids are biocompatible and biodegradable, and the formed particles are also biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used to provide controlled, sustained release of the agent. These lipids and their corresponding particles may also be responsive to pH changes given that these lipids are protonated at lower pH.

Lipids

The lipids of the present invention are lipids containing primary, secondary, or tertiary amines and salts thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive lipids are relatively non-cytotoxic. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive lipids are biocompatible and biodegradable. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lipids of the present invention have pK_(a)s in the range of 5.5 to 7.5, more preferably between 6.0 and 7.0. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the lipid may be designed to have a desired pK_(a) between 3.0 and 9.0, more preferably between 5.0 and 8.0. The inventive lipids are particularly attractive for drug delivery for several reasons: 1) they contain amino groups for interacting with DNA, RNA, other polynucleotides, and other negatively charged agents, for buffering the pH, for causing endosomolysis, etc.; 2) they can be synthesized from commercially available starting materials; and 3) they are pH responsive and can be engineered with a desired pK_(a).

In certain embodiments, the lipids of the present invention are of the formula (I):

wherein each occurrence of V is independently selected from the group consisting of C═O, C═S, S═O, and SO₂;

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —C(═O)R_(A); —CO₂R_(A); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(A); —SOR_(A); —SO₂R_(A); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(A))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(A); —NR_(A)C(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(A); —OC(═O)R_(A); —OC(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —NR_(A)C(═O)OR_(A); or —C(R_(A))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(B); —C(═O)R_(B); —CO₂R_(B); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(B); —SOR_(B); —SO₂R_(B); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(B))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(B); —NR_(B)C(═O)N(R_(B))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(B); —OC(═O)R_(B); —OC(═O)N(R_(B))₂; —NR_(B)C(═O)OR_(B); or —C(R_(B))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(B) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

wherein R₁ and R₂ may be taken together to form a cyclic structure;

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(C); —OC(═O)R_(C); —OC(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; each occurrence of R₅ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl;

each occurrence of R₆ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl; and salts thereof.

In certain embodiments, the tertiary amine of formula (I) is protonated or alkylated to form a compound of formula (Ia):

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₅, R₆, and V are defined above;

R₇ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ aliphatic, preferably C₁-C₆ alkyl, more preferably hydrogen or methyl; and

X is any anion. Possible anions include fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, nitrate, acetate, fumarate, oleate, citrate, valerate, maleate, oxalate, isonicotinate, lactate, salicylate, tartrate, tannate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate, succinate, gentisinate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, and pamoate (i.e., 1,1′-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate).

In certain embodiments, V is C═O. In other embodiments, V is C═S. In yet other embodiments, V is S═O. In still other embodiments, V is SO₂.

In certain embodiments, R₁ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₁ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or un branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₁ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, the aryl or heteroaryl moiety is a monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring system. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), —SR_(A), —NR_(A))₂, or —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A). In other embodiments, R₁ is —N(R_(A))₂ or —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, R_(A) is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R_(A) is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic moiety. In certain other embodiments, R_(A) is an acyclic, unsubstituted, unbranched aliphatic moiety, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group with at least 5 carbons. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₀ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₁ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₂ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₃ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₄ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₅ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₆ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₇ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₈ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₂₀ alkyl chain. In yet other embodiments, R_(A) is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R₂ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₂ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or un branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, the aryl or heteroaryl moiety is a monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring system. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), —SR_(B), —N(R_(B))₂, or —NHR_(B). In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B). In other embodiments, R₂ is —N(R_(B))₂ or —NHR_(B). In certain embodiments, R_(B) is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R_(B) is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group with at least 5 carbons. In certain other embodiments, R_(B) is an acyclic, unsubstituted, unbranched aliphatic moiety, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₀ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₁ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₂ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₃ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₄ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₅ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₆ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₇ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₈ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₂₀ alkyl chain. In yet other embodiments, R_(B) is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R₃ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic moiety. In other embodiments, R₃ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is a polyethylene glycol moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, R₃ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino groups. In certain embodiments, R₃ is a heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is cyclic aliphatic, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In other embodiments, R₃ is aryl or heteroaryl, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared from the primary amines 1, 11, 20, 24, 25, 28, 31, 32, 36, 76, 77, 80, 86, 87, 93, 94, 95, 96, 99, or 100 shown in FIG. 1. In certain other embodiments the lipids are prepared from the primary amines 31, 93, or 94 as shown in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R₅ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of R₅ is methyl and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₅ are methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In other embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₅ are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R₆ is hydrogen. In certain other embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₆ are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of R₆ is methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₆ are methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments,

which are

attached to N, are the same. In other embodiments, which are attached to N are the same and are different than R₃. In yet other embodiments,

and R₃ are all different.

In certain subclasses of lipids, the lipids are of the formula:

wherein V, R₁, R₂, and R₃ are defined as above; and all occurrences of R₅ and R₆ are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are the same. In other embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are different. In certain embodiments, V is C═O as shown in the formula:

In certain embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are the same. In other embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are different. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A) and R₂ is —OR_(B), as shown in the formula below:

In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are the same. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are different. In certain embodiments, at least one of R_(A) and R_(B) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group with at least 5 carbons. In certain embodiments, both of R_(A) and R_(B) are an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group with at least 5 carbons. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkyl groups, or C₂₁-C₃₀ straight chain alkyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkyl groups. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkenyl groups, or C₂₁-C₃₀ straight chain alkenyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkenyl groups. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkynyl groups, or C₂₁-C₃₀ straight chain alkynyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkynyl groups. In certain embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) are not methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,

In other embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 4 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 5 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 6 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 4 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 5 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 6 carbon atoms. Exemplary classes of the above formula include:

In certain embodiments, the acrylate used in the synthesis of the lipid is acrylate LD, LF, or LG in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments the acrylate is acrylate LF in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments the acrylate is acrylate LG in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, R₃ is not

wherein R_(C) is defined as above. In certain embodiments, R₃ is not —CH₂CH₂OR_(C)′, wherein R_(C)′ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, s-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, decyl, methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 1-ethoxyethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, (2-methoxyethoxy)methyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofurfuryl, formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, isobutyryl, pivaloyl, valeryl, methoxyacetyl, ethoxyacetyl, acetoxyacetyl, 2-formyloxyethyl, 2-acetoxyethyl, 2-oxopropyl, 2-oxobutyl, 2-oxocyclopentyl, 2-oxo-3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-oxo-3-tetrahydropyranyl, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, and t-butoxycarbonyl. In yet other embodiments, R₃ is not —CH₂CH₂OR_(C)″, wherein R_(C)″ is a straight chain, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbons atoms, which may contain an ether, carbonyl, or carbonyloxy group. In yet other embodiments, R₃ is not —CH₂CH₂OR_(C)″, wherein R_(C)″ is a straight chain, branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbons atoms, which may contain an ether, carbonyl, or carbonyloxy group. In certain particular embodiments, R₃ is not —CH₂CH₂OR_(C)″, wherein R_(C)″ is formyl; acetyl; or methyl group.

In other embodiments, R₁ is —NR_(A) and R₂ is —NR_(B), as shown in the formula below:

In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are the same. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are different. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkyl groups, or C₂₁-C₃₀ straight chain alkyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkyl groups. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkenyl groups, or C₂₁-C₃₀ straight chain alkenyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkenyl groups. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkynyl groups, or C₂₁-C₃₀ straight chain alkynyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkynyl groups. In certain embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) are not methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,

In other embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 4 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 5 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, when R_(A) and R_(B) are the same, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 6 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 4 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 5 carbon atoms. In other embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) each comprise at least 6 carbon atoms. Exemplary classes of the above formula include:

In certain embodiments, the acrylate used in the synthesis of the lipid is acrylate ND, NF, NG, or NP in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments the acrylate is acrylate ND in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments the acrylate is acrylate NF in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments the acrylate is acrylate NP in FIG. 1.

Particular exemplary compounds include:

In other subclasses of lipids, the lipids are of the formula:

wherein V, R₁, and R₃ are defined as above; all occurrences of R₆ are hydrogen; and R₅ is defined as in the formula. In certain embodiments, R₁ and R₂ are the same. In certain embodiments, V is C═O as shown in the formula:

preferably R₁ and R₂ are the same.

In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A) and R₂ is —OR_(B), as shown in the formula below:

preferably R_(A) and R_(B) are the same. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkyl groups. In other embodiments, R₁ is —NR_(A) and R₂ is —NR_(B), as shown in the formula below:

preferably R_(A) and R_(B) are the same. In certain embodiments, R_(A) and R_(B) are C₆-C₃₀ straight chain alkyl groups, preferably C₉-C₂₀ straight chain alkyl groups.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (I) and (Ia) are selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylates LC, LD, LE, LF, and LG in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (I) and (Ia) are selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylates NC, ND, NF, NG, or NP in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate ND. In other embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate NF.

In certain embodiments,

is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments,

is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments,

wherein n is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive; and R₃′ is hydrogen, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, aryl, acyl, or heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R₃′ is hydrogen, In other embodiments, R₃′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In yet other embodiments, R₃′ is acyl (e.g., acetyl).

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

R₃′ is C₁₋₆alkyl;

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, R₃′ is methyl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is ethyl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is n-propyl. In still other embodiments, R₃′ is iso-propyl. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

R₃′ is C₁₋₆alkyl;

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, R₃′ is methyl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is ethyl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is n-propyl. In still other embodiments, R₃′ is iso-propyl. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

R₃′ is carbocyclic; heterocyclic; aryl or heteroaryl;

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, R₃′ is phenyl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is heteroaryl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is aryl. In still other embodiments, R₃′ is histidine. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

R₃′ is carbocyclic; heterocyclic; aryl or heteroaryl;

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, R₃′ is phenyl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is heteroaryl. In other embodiments, R₃′ is aryl. In still other embodiments, R₃′ is histidine. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

In certain embodiments, the inventive lipid is of formula:

wherein

n is an integer between 5 and 20, inclusive; and

m is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 12. In yet other embodiments, n is 13. In still other embodiments, n is 14. In certain embodiments, m is 1. In other embodiments, m is 2. In other embodiments, m is 3. In other embodiments, m is 4. In other embodiments, m is 5. In other embodiments, m is 6.

The present invention also provides amino lipids prepared from reacting acrylates with diamines, triamines, or polyamines. The amino moieties are completely or partially reacted with acrylate or acrylamides. Also, as would be appreciated by one of skill in this art, amino lipids with different number of acrylate or acrylamide tails will result in various isomers. These various forms of the linventive lipids are prepared individually, or the lipid is prepared as a mixture and then purified from the other forms. A single form mya be used in a composition, or a mixture of forms may be used.

The tails of the inventive amino lipids may also be the same or different. Non-exhaustively reacted amino groups may be reacted with a second acrylate, second acrylamide, or other electrophiles to created a mixed amino lipid. Again, various isomeric forms may be prepared and may optionally be purified.

In certain embodiments, the lipids of the present invention are of the formula (II):

wherein A is selected from the group consisting of cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; and substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl;

V is selected from the group consisting of C═O, C═S, S═O, and SO₂;

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —C(═O)R_(A); —CO₂R_(A); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(A); —SOR_(A); —SO₂R_(A); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(A))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(A); —NR_(A)C(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(A); —OC(═O)R_(A); —OC(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —NR_(A)C(═O)OR_(A); and —C(R_(A))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(B); —C(═O)R_(B); —CO₂R_(B); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(B); —SOR_(B); —SO₂R_(B); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(B))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(B); —NR_(B)C(═O)N(R_(B))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(B); —OC(═O)R_(B); —OC(═O)N(R_(B))₂; —NR_(B)C(═O)OR_(B); or —C(R_(B))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(B) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

wherein R₁ and R₂ may be taken together to form a cyclic structure;

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(C); —OC(═OC)R_(C); —OC(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(D); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(D); —OC(═O)R_(D); —OC(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

wherein R₃ and R₄ may be taken together to form a cyclic structure;

each occurrence of R₅ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl;

each occurrence of R₆ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl; and salts thereof. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using amine 95, 96, 99, 100, 103, and 109 in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using amine 99 in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using amine 100 in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using acrylate ND, NF, NP, LF, and LG in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using acrylate ND in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using acrylate NF in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using acrylate NP in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments, the tertiary amine of formula (II) is protonated or alkylated to form a compound of formula (IIa):

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, and V are defined above;

each occurrence of R₇ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ aliphatic, preferably C₁-C₆ alkyl, more preferably hydrogen or methyl;

each dashed line represents a bond or the absence of a bond, wherein when the dashed line represents a bond, the attached nitrogen is positively charged; and

X is any anion. Possible anions include fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, nitrate, acetate, fumarate, oleate, citrate, valerate, maleate, oxalate, isonicotinate, lactate, salicylate, tartrate, tannate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate, succinate, gentisinate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, and pamoate (i.e., 1,1′-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate). In certain embodiments, both dashed lines presents bonds, and both nitrogen atoms are positively charged.

In certain embodiments, A is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic group. In certain embodiments, A is a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic group. In certain particular embodiments, A is a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched alkyl group. In certain embodiments, A is an unsubstituted, C₁-C₆ straight chain alkyl group. In other embodiments, A is a polyethylene group. In yet other embodiments, A is a polyethylene glycol moiety. In certain embodiments, A, the two nitrogen atoms attached to A, R₃ and R₄ form a heterocyclic ring. In certain embodiments, the ring is aromatic. In other embodiments, the ring is non-aromatic. In certain embodiments,

is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments,

In certain particular embodiments,

In certain embodiments, A is

wherein n is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, V is C═O. In other embodiments, V is C═S. In yet other embodiments, V is S═O. In still other embodiments, V is SO₂.

In certain embodiments, R₁ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₁ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or un branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₁ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, the aryl or heteroaryl moiety is a monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring system. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), —SR_(A), —N(R_(A))₂, or —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A). In other embodiments, R₁ is —N(R_(A))₂ or —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, R_(A) is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is not hydrogen. In other embodiments, R_(A) is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group with at least 5 carbons. In certain other embodiments, R_(A) is an acyclic, unsubstituted, unbranched aliphatic moiety, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₀ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₁ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₂ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₃ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₄ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₅ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₆ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₇ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₈ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₂₀ alkyl chain. In yet other embodiments, R_(A) is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R₂ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₂ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or un branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, the aryl or heteroaryl moiety is a monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring system. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), —SR_(B), —N(R_(B))₂, or —NHR_(B). In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B). In other embodiments, R₂ is —N(R_(B))₂ or —NHR_(B). In certain embodiments, R_(B) is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is not hydrogen. In other embodiments, R_(B) is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group with at least 5 carbons. In certain other embodiments, R_(B) is an acyclic, unsubstituted, unbranched aliphatic moiety, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₀ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₁ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₂ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₃ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₄ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₅ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₆ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₇ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₈ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₂₀ alkyl chain. In yet other embodiments, R_(B) is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R₃ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic moiety. In other embodiments, R₃ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, R₃ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino groups. In certain embodiments, R₃ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is methyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is ethyl. In other embodiments, R₃ is n-propyl. In other embodiments, R₃ is iso-propyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₃ is a heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is cyclic aliphatic, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In other embodiments, R₃ is aryl or heteroaryl, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In certain embodiments, R₃ is

wherein n is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive; and R₃′ is hydrogen, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, aryl, acyl, or heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R₃′ is hydrogen, In other embodiments, R₃′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In yet other embodiments, R₃′ is acyl (e.g., acetyl). In certain embodiments, R₃ is

In other embodiments, R₃ is

In certain embodiments, R₄ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic moiety. In other embodiments, R₄ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₄ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, R₄ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino groups. In certain embodiments, R₄ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is methyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is ethyl. In other embodiments, R₃ is n-propyl. In other embodiments, R₃ is iso-propyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₄ is a heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is cyclic aliphatic, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In other embodiments, R₄ is aryl or heteroaryl, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In certain embodiments, R₄ is

wherein n is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive; and R₄′ is hydrogen, aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, carbocyclic, heterocyclic, aryl, acyl, or heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, R₄′ is hydrogen, In other embodiments, R₄′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In yet other embodiments, R₄′ is acyl (e.g., acetyl). In certain embodiments, R₄ is

In other embodiments, R₄ is

In certain embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are the same. In other embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are different.

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R₅ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of R₅ is methyl and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₅ are methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In other embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₅ are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R₆ is hydrogen. In certain other embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₆ are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of R₆ is methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₆ are methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments,

which are attached to N are the same. In other embodiments,

which are attached to N are the same and are different than R₃. In yet other embodiments,

and R₃ are all different.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (II) and (IIa) are selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylates LC, LD, LE, LF, and LG in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (II) and (IIa) are selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylates NC, ND, NF, NO, or NP in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate ND. In other embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate NF. In other embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate NP.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (II) and (IIa) are the same. In other embodiments,

in formulae (II) and (IIa) are different.

In certain embodiments,

is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments,

is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R₃ and R₄ form a cyclic structure.

In other embodiments, the lipids of the present invention are of the formula (III):

wherein

A is selected from the group consisting of cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; and substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl;

V is selected from the group consisting of C═O, C═S, S═O, and SO₂;

n is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive;

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —C(═O)R_(A); —CO₂R_(A); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(A); —SOR_(A); —SO₂R_(A); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(A))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(A); —NR_(A)C(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(A); —OC(═O)R_(A); —OC(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —NR_(A)C(═O)OR_(A); and —C(R_(A))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₂ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(B); —C(═O)R_(a); —CO₂R_(B); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(B); —SOR_(B); —SO₂R_(B); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(B))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(B); —NR_(B)C(═O)N(R_(B))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(B); —OC(═O)R_(B); —OC(═O)N(R_(B))₂; —NR_(B)C(═O)OR_(B); or —C(R_(B))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(B) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

wherein R₁ and R₂ may be taken together to form a cyclic structure;

R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(C); —OC(═O)R_(C); —OC(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

R₄ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR₁); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(D); —OC(═O)R_(D); —OC(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

wherein R₃ and R₄ may be taken together to form a cyclic structure;

each occurrence of R₅ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl;

each occurrence of R₆ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl;

R₇ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(G); —C(═OC)R_(G); —CO₂R_(G); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(G); —SOR_(G); —SO₂R_(Q); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(G))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(G); —NR_(G)C(═O)N(R_(G))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(G); —OC(═O)R_(G); —OC(═O)N(R_(G))₂; —NR_(G)C(═O)OR_(G); and —C(R_(G))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(G) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety and salts thereof. In certain embodiments, n is 0. In other embodiments, n is 1. In still other embodiments, n is 2. In other embodiments, n is 3. In yet other embodiments, n is 4. In other embodiments, n is 5. In other embodiments, n is 6. In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared using amine 98. In other embodiments, the lipid is prepared using amine 100.

In certain embodiments, the tertiary amine of formula (III) is protonated or alkylated to form a compound of formula (IIIa):

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, n, and V are defined above;

each occurrence of R₈ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ aliphatic, preferably C₁-C₆ alkyl, more preferably hydrogen or methyl;

each dashed line represents a bond or the absence of a bond, wherein when the dashed line represents a bond, the attached nitrogen is positively charged; and

X is any anion. Possible anions include fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, nitrate, acetate, fumarate, oleate, citrate, valerate, maleate, oxalate, isonicotinate, lactate, salicylate, tartrate, tannate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate, succinate, gentisinate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, and pamoate (i.e., 1,1′-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate). In certain embodiments, both dashed lines presents bonds, and both nitrogen atoms are positively charged.

In certain embodiments, A is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic group. In certain embodiments, A is a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic group. In certain particular embodiments, A is a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched alkyl group. In certain embodiments, A is an unsubstituted, C₁-C₆ straight chain alkyl group. In other embodiments, A is a polyethylene group. In yet other embodiments, A is a polyethylene glycol moiety. In certain embodiments, A, the two nitrogen atoms attached to A, R₃ and R₄ form a heterocyclic ring. In certain embodiments, the ring is aromatic. In other embodiments, the ring is non-aromatic.

In certain embodiments, V is C═O. In other embodiments, V is C═S. In yet other embodiments, V is S═O. In still other embodiments, V is SO₂.

In certain embodiments, R₁ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₁ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or un branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₁ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, the aryl or heteroaryl moiety is a monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring system. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), —SR_(A), —N(R_(A))₂, or —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A). In other embodiments, R₁ is —N(R_(A))₂ or —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, R_(A) is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R_(A) is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic moiety. In certain other embodiments, R_(A) is an acyclic, unsubstituted, unbranched aliphatic moiety, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R_(A) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₀ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₁ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₂ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₃ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₄ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₅ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₆ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₇ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₈ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(A) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₂₀ alkyl chain. In yet other embodiments, R_(A) is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R₂ is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R₂ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or un branched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety. Preferably, the aryl or heteroaryl moiety is a monocyclic 5- or 6-membered ring system. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), —SR_(B), —N(R_(B))₂, or —NHR_(B). In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B). In other embodiments, R₂ is —N(R_(B))₂ or —NHR_(B). In certain embodiments, R_(B) is hydrogen. In other embodiments, R_(B) is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic or heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic moiety. In certain other embodiments, R_(B) is an acyclic, unsubstituted, unbranched aliphatic moiety, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R_(B) is an unsubstituted, straight chain alkyl group, preferably C₆-C₃₀, more preferably C₁₀-C₂₀. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₀ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₁ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₂ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₃ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₄ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₅ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₆ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₇ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(A), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₈ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₁₉ alkyl chain. In certain embodiments, R₂ is —OR_(B), wherein R_(B) is an unsubstituted, unbranched C₂₀ alkyl chain. In yet other embodiments, R_(B) is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl moiety.

In certain embodiments, R₃ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₃ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic moiety. In other embodiments, R₃ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, R₃ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino groups. In certain embodiments, R₃ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₃ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₃ is a heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is cyclic aliphatic, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In other embodiments, R₃ is aryl or heteroaryl, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In certain embodiments, R₃ is

wherein R₁, R₂, R₅, R₆, and V are defined as above.

In other embodiments, R₄ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₄ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic moiety. In other embodiments, R₄ is a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₄ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, R₄ is an aliphatic moiety substituted with one or more amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino groups. In certain embodiments, R₄ is C₁-C₆ alkyl. In certain embodiments, R₄ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₄ is a heteroaliphatic moiety. In certain embodiments, R₃ is cyclic aliphatic, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In other embodiments, R₄ is aryl or heteroaryl, preferably a monocyclic ring system with a 5- or 6-membered ring. In certain embodiments, R₄ is

wherein R₁, R₂, R₅, R₆, and V are defined as above.

In certain embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are the same. In other embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are different. In certain embodiments, both R₃ and R₄ are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, only one of R₃ and R₄ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, both R₃ and R₄ are

wherein R₁, R₂, R₅, R₆, and V are defined as above. In certain embodiments, one of R₃ and R₄ is

wherein R₁, R₂, R₅, R₆, and V are defined as above; and the other is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, both R₃ and R₄ are

wherein R₁ is as defined above. In certain embodiments, one of R₃ and R₄ is

wherein R₁ is defined as above; and the other is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R₅ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of R₅ is methyl and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₅ are methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In other embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₅ are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, each occurrence of R₆ is hydrogen. In certain other embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₆ are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least one occurrence of R₆ is methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, at least two occurrences of R₆ are methyl, and the other occurrences are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, R₇ is

wherein R₁, R₂, R₅, R₆, and V are defined as above. In certain embodiments, R₇,

are the same. In other embodiments, R₇,

are different. In certain embodiments, R₇ and

are the same.

In other embodiments, R₇ and

are the same. In certain embodiments, all R₇ are the same.

In certain embodiments,

which are attached to N are the same. In other embodiments,

which are attached to N are the same and are different than R₃ or R₄. In yet other embodiments,

R₃, and R₄ are all different. In certain embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are the same. In other embodiments, R₃ and R₄ are different.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (III) and (IIIa) are selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylates LC, LD, LE, LF, and LG in FIG. 1.

In certain embodiments,

in formulae (III) and (IIIa) are selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylates NC, ND, NF, NG, and NP in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate ND. In other embodiments, the lipids are prepared using acrylate NF.

In certain embodiments,

is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain particular embodiments,

In certain particular embodiments,

and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In certain particular embodiments,

and n is 2. In certain embodiments,

In certain embodiments,

and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In certain embodiments,

and n is 2.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is of the formula (IV):

wherein

each occurrence of x is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; preferably, between 1 and 6, inclusive;

y is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive; preferably, between 0 and 6, inclusive;

each occurrence of R₇ is hydrogen; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —C(═O)R_(A); —CO₂R_(A); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(A); —SOR_(A); —SO₂R_(A); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(A))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(A); —NR_(A)C(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(A); —OC(═O)R_(A); —OC(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —NR_(A)C(═O)OR_(A); and —C(R_(A))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; and salts thereof. In certain embodiments, x is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain particular embodiments, x is 1. In other particular embodiments, x is 2. In certain embodiments, y is 0. In certain embodiments, y is 1. In other embodiments, y is 2. In yet other embodiments, y is 3. In still other embodiments, y is 4. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A). In other embodiments, R₁ is —N₁HR_(A). In certain embodiments, at least one R₁ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl. In certain embodiments, all R₇ are of the formula

In certain embodiments, at least one R₇ is branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic. In certain embodiments, at least one R₇ is C₁-C₂₀ alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one R₇ is C₁-C₁₂ alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one R₇ is branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaliphatic. In certain embodiments, at least one R₇ is

wherein k is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive, and R₇′ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one R₇ is

In other embodiments, at least one R₇ is

In other embodiments, at least one R₇ is a hydrogen. In other embodiments, at least two R₇ are each hydrogen. In still other embodiments, at least three R₇ are each hydrogen. In still further embodiments, at least four R₇ are each hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, each R₇ in formulae (IV) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and

In certain embodiments, each R₇ in formulae (IV) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and

In certain embodiments, the lipid is of the formula (V), (VI), or (VII):

wherein

x is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; preferably, between 1 and 6, inclusive; more preferably, between 1 and 3, inclusive;

each occurrence of R₇ is hydrogen or

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —C(═O)R_(A); —CO₂R_(A); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(A); —SOR_(A); —SO₂R_(A); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(A))₂; —NR_(A)C(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(A); OC(═O)R_(A); —OC(═O)N(R_(A))₂; —NR_(A)C(═O)OR_(A); and —C(R_(A))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety;

each occurrence of R₈ is independently hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl; or

wherein k is an integer between 0 and 10, inclusive, and R₈′ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; and salts thereof. In certain embodiments, x is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. In certain particular embodiments, x is 1. In other particular embodiments, x is 2. In other embodiments, x is 3. In certain embodiments, R₁ is —OR_(A). In other embodiments, R₁ is —NHR_(A). In certain embodiments, all R₇ are of the formula

In other embodiments, at least one R₇ is a hydrogen. In other embodiments, at least two R₇ are each hydrogen. In still other embodiments, at least three R₇ are each hydrogen. In still further embodiments, at least four R₇ are each hydrogen. In certain embodiments, all R₈ are the same. In certain particular embodiments, R₈ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R₈ is methyl. In other embodiments, R₈ is ethyl. In yet other embodiments, R₈ is hydroxymethyl. In still other embodiments, R₈ is hydroxyethyl.

In certain embodiments, each R₇ in formula (V), (VI), or (VII) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and

In certain embodiments, each R₇ in formula (V), (VI), or (VII) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and

Exemplary compounds of the formulae (V), (VI), and (VII) are of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is one of the formulae:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive; preferably, n is an integer ranging from 6 to 12, inclusive, or 1 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain particular embodiments, n is 10, 11, or 12. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 10. In certain embodiments, each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive. In other embodiments, all n are the same integer. In certain embodiments, one n is different from the other n in the compound.

In other embodiments, the compound is of one of the formulae:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive; preferably, n is an integer ranging from 6 to 12, inclusive, or 1 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain particular embodiments, n is 10, 11, or 12. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 10. In certain embodiments, each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive. In other embodiments, all n are the same integer. In certain embodiments, one n is different from the other n in the compound.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is of one of the formulae:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive; preferably, n is an integer ranging from 6 to 12, inclusive, or 1 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain particular embodiments, n is 10, 11, or 12. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 10. In certain embodiments, each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive. In other embodiments, all n are the same integer. In certain embodiments, one n is different from the other n in the compound.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is of one of the formulae:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive; preferably, n is an integer ranging from 6 to 12, inclusive, or 1 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain particular embodiments, n is 10, 11, or 12. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 10. In certain embodiments, each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive. In other embodiments, all n are the same integer. In certain embodiments, one n is different from the other n in the compound.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is of one of the formulae:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive; preferably, n is an integer ranging from 6 to 12, inclusive, or 1 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain particular embodiments, n is 10, 11, or 12. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 10. In certain embodiments, each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive. In other embodiments, all n are the same integer. In certain embodiments, one n is different from the other n in the compound.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is of one of the formulae:

wherein n is an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive; preferably, n is an integer ranging from 6 to 12, inclusive, or 1 to 6, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain particular embodiments, n is 10, 11, or 12. In certain embodiments, n is 11. In other embodiments, n is 10. In certain embodiments, each n is independently an integer ranging from 1 to 15, inclusive. In other embodiments, all n are the same integer. In certain embodiments, one n is different from the other n in the compound.

In another aspect of the invention, the lipid or composition of lipids of the invention is lipid or composition prepared by reacting an amine of one of the formula (1-117):

with an acrylate of formula:

In certain embodiments, one equivalent of amine is reacted with one equivalent of acrylate. In certain embodiments, one equivalent of amine is reacted with one, two, three, four, five, six, or more equivalents of acrylate. In certain embodiments, the amount of acrylate is limiting to prevent the functionalization of all amino groups. The resulting lipid or lipid composition in these instances contain secondary amino groups or primary amino groups. Lipids having secondary amines are particular useful in certain instances. In certain embodiments, amine-containing lipids that have not been fully functionalize are further reacted with another electrophile (e.g., an acrylate, acrylamide, alkylating agent, acylating agent, etc.). Such further functionalization of the amines of the lipid results in lipids with different tails. One, two, three, four, five, or more tails may be different from the other tails of the lipid.

In certain embodiments, the amine and acrylate are reacted together neat. In other embodiments, the reaction is done in a solvent (e.g., THF, CH₂Cl₂, MeOH, EtOH, CHCl₃, hexanes, toluene, benzene, CCl₄, glyme, diethyl ether, etc.). In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is heated. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is heated to temperature ranging from 50-150° C. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is heated to approximately 95° C. The reaction may also be catalyzed. For example, the reaction may be catalyzed by the addition of an acid, base, or metal. The reaction may be allowed to proceed for hours, days, or weeks. In certain embodiments, the reaction is allowed to proceed for 1-7 days, preferably 7 days. The resulting composition may be used with or without purification. In certain embodiments, the lipids are subsequently subjected to an alkylation step (e.g., reaction with methyl iodide) to form quanternary amine salts. Optionally, various salt forms of the lipids may be prepared. In certain embodiments, the salts are pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 98 with acrylate NC to form lipid NC98. In certain embodiments, the lipid NC98 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate NC to form lipid NC99. In certain embodiments, the lipid NC99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate NC to form lipid NC 100. In certain embodiments, the lipid NC 100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 20 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND20. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND₂₀ is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 24 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND24. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND24 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 25 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND25. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND25 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 28 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND28. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND28 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 32 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND32. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND32 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 36 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND36. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND36 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 98 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND98. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND98 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 94 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND94. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND94 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 95 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND95. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND95 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 96 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND96. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND96 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND99. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, ND99 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids of the formulae:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND100. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 103 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND103. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND103 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 109 with acrylate ND to form lipid ND109. In certain embodiments, the lipid ND109 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 98 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE98. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE98 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 94 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE94. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE94 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 95 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE95. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE95 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 96 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE96. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE96 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE99. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, NE99 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids of the formulae:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE100. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 103 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE103. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE103 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 109 with acrylate NE to form lipid NE109. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE109 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 1 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF1. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF1 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 10 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF10. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF10 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 11 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF11. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF10 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 20 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF20. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF20 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 25 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF25. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF25 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 28 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF28. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF28 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 32 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF32. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF32 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 36 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF36. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF36 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 60 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF60. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF60 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 61 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF61. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF61 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 63 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF63. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF63 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 64 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF64. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF64 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 61 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF70. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF70 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 86 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF86. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF86 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 87 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF87. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF87 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 91 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF91. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF91 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 95 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF95. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF95 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 96 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF96. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF96 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 98 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF98. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF98 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF99. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, NF99 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF100. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 103 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF103. In certain embodiments, the lipid NE103 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 109 with acrylate NF to form lipid NF109. In certain embodiments, the lipid NF109 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 61 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG61. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG61 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 64 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG64. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG64 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 77 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG77. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG77 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 86 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG86. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG86 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 87 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG87. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG87 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 95 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG95. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG95 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate NG to form lipid NG100. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, NG100 is alkylated with methyl iodide or another alkylating agent.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 62 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP62. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP62 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 63 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP63. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP63 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 86 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP86. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP86 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 87 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP87. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP87 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 96 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP96. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP96 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 98 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP98. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP98 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP99. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, NF99 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP100. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 103 with acrylate NP to form lipid NP103. In certain embodiments, the lipid NP103 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 31 with acrylate LD to form lipid LD31. In certain embodiments, the lipid LD31 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 98 with acrylate LD to form lipid LD98. In certain embodiments, the lipid LD98 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate LD to form lipid LD99. In certain embodiments, the lipid LD99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, LD99 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids (QD99) of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate LD to form lipid LD100. In certain embodiments, the lipid LD100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, LD100 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids (QD100) of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 87 with acrylate LE to form lipid LE87. In certain embodiments, the lipid LE87 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 94 with acrylate LE to form lipid LE94. In certain embodiments, the lipid LE94 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 31 with acrylate LF to form lipid LF31. In certain embodiments, the lipid LF31 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipis is prepared by reacting amine 94 with acrylate LF to form lipid LF94. In certain embodiments, the lipid LF94 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 95 with acrylate LF to form lipid LF95. In certain embodiments, the lipid LF95 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 99 with acrylate LF to form lipid LF 99. In certain embodiments, the lipid LF99 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, LF99 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipid (QF99) of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 32 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG32. In certain embodiments, the lipid LG32 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 77 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG77. In certain embodiments, the lipid LG77 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 80 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG80. In certain embodiments, the lipid LG80 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 96 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG96. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG96 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 100 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG100. In certain embodiments, the lipid LG100 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. In certain embodiments, LG100 is treated with MeI or another alkylating agent to form lipids (QG100) of the formula:

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 109 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG109. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG109 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 64 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG64. In certain embodiments, the lipid LG64 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 31 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG31. In certain embodiments, the lipid LG31 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids.

In certain embodiments, the lipid is prepared by reacting amine 32 with acrylate LG to form lipid LG32. In certain embodiments, the lipid NG32 is of one of the formulae below:

In other embodiments, the lipid is a composition of one or more of the above lipids. Synthesis of Lipids

The inventive lipids may be prepared by any method known in the art. Preferably the lipids are prepared from commercially available starting materials, such acrylates or acrylamides, and amines. In another preferred embodiment, the lipids are prepared from easily and/or inexpensively prepared starting materials. As would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the inventive lipids can be prepared by total synthesis starting from commercially available starting materials A particular lipid may be the desired final product of the synthesis, or a mixture of lipids may be the desired final product.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive lipid is prepared via the conjugate addition of primary amines to acrylates or acrylamides. An exemplary reaction scheme is shown below:

Any primary amine is useful in preparing inventive lipids. Primary amines useful in this invention include, but are not limited to, methylamine, ethylamine, isopropylamine, aniline, substituted anilines, and ethanolamine. The primary amine may be a bis(primary amine). Preferably, the amine is commercially available. In certain embodiments, the amine used in the synthesis of the lipid is of the formula:

Acrylate or acrylamide monomers that are useful in the present invention include any acrylates and acrylamides In certain embodiments, the acrylates or acrylamides are acrylates or acrylamides of straight chain alkyl groups. In certain embodiments, the acrylate or acrylamide is of the formula:

In other embodiments, the acrylate or acrylamide may include branched, substituted, or cyclic aliphatic or heteroaliphatic groups. In certain embodiments, the acrylate or acrylamide is substituted with C1-C6 alkyl group, halogens, amino groups, hydroxyl groups, alkoxy groups, etc.

In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed neat without the use of a solvent. In other embodiments, a solvent is used for the reaction. Both or one of the monomers is dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g., THF, CH₂Cl₂, MeOH, EtOH, CHCl₃, hexanes, toluene, benzene, CCl₄, glyme, diethyl ether, etc.). The resulting solutions are combined, and the reaction mixture is heated to yield the desired lipid. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is heated to temperature ranging from 50-150° C. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is heated to approximately 95° C. The reaction may also be catalyzed. For example, the reaction may be catalyzed by the addition of an acid, base, or metal. The reagents may be allowed to react for fours, days, or weeks. Preferably, the reaction is allowed to proceed from overnight (e.g., 8-2 hours) to 7 days.

In another particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive lipids are prepared by the conjugate addition of a bis(amine) to an acrylate. The bis(amine) may be a bis(secondary amine) or a bis(primary amine). En exemplary reaction scheme using bis(amines) is shown below:

In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed neat without a solvent. In other embodiments, the reaction is performed in a solvent. One or both of the monomers are dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g., THF, CH₂Cl₂, MeOH, EtOH, CHCl₃, hexanes, CCl₄, glyme, diethyl ether, etc.). Organic solvents are preferred due to the susceptibility of polyesters to hydrolysis. The resulting solutions are combined, and the reaction mixture is heated to yield the desired lipid. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature ranging from 50-150° C. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is heated to approximately 95° C. The reaction may also be catalyzed. For example, the reaction may be catalyzed by the addition of an acid, base, or metal.

In yet another particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive lipids are prepared by the conjugate addition of a poly(amine) to an acrylate or acrylamide. The poly(amine) may include primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary amines. In certain embodiments, the poly(amine) contains only primary and secondary amines. An exemplary reaction scheme using poly(amines) is shown below:

In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed with an excess of acrylate or acrylamide to fully funcationlize all amino groups of the poly(amine). In other embodiments, the equivalents of acrylate are limiting; therefore, all amino groups of the poly(amine) are not functionalized. In certain embodiments, the reaction is performed neat without a solvent. In other embodiments, the reaction is performed in a solvent. One or both of the monomers are dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g., THF, CH₂Cl₂, MeOH, EtOH, CHCl₃, hexanes, CCl₄, glyme, diethyl ether, etc.). Organic solvents are preferred due to the susceptibility of polyesters to hydrolysis. The resulting solutions are combined, and the reaction mixture is heated to yield the desired lipid. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is maintained at a temperature ranging from 50-150° C. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction mixture is heated to approximately 95° C. The reaction may also be catalyzed. For example, the reaction may be catalyzed by the addition of an acid, base, or metal.

The synthesized lipid may be purified by any technique known in the art including, but not limited to, precipitation, crystallization, chromatography, distillation, etc. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lipid is purified through repeated precipitations in organic solvent (e.g., diethyl ether, hexane, etc.). In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lipid is isolated as a salt. The lipid is reacted with an acid (e.g., an organic acid or inorganic acid) to form the corresponding salt. In certain embodiments, the tertiary amine is alkylated to form a quaternary ammonium salt of the lipid. The tertiary amines may be alkylated with any alkylating agent, for example, alkyl halides such as methyl iodide may be used to from the quaternary amino groups. The anion associated with the quaternary amine may be any organic or inorganic anion. Preferably, the anion is a pharmaceutically acceptable anion.

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture results in a mixture of isomers with varying numbers and positions of acrylate tails. Such mixtures of products may be used as is, or a single isomer may be purified from the reaction mixture. When an amine is not exhaustively alkylated, the resulting primary, secondary, or tertiary amines may be further reacted with another acrylate, acrylamide, or other electrophile. The resulting lipid may then be optionally purified.

In certain embodiments, a desired lipid is prepared by traditional total synthesis. In certain embodiments, a commercially available amine is the starting material. One or more amino groups of the amine are optionally protected. The unprotected amino groups are reacted with a acrylate or acrylamide. The product is optionally purified. Protecting groups are removed, and the free amino groups are optionally reacted with another acrylate, acrylamide, or other electrophile. Such a sequence may be repeated depending on the desired complexity of the inventive product being prepared. The final product may then be optionally purified.

In one embodiment, a library of different lipids is prepared in parallel. A different amine and/or acrylate is added to each vial in a set of vials or to each well of a multi-well plate used to prepare the library. The array of reaction mixtures is incubated at a temperature and length of time sufficient to allow formation of the lipids to occur. In one embodiment, the vials are incubated at approximately 95° C. overnight. In other embodiments, the vials are incubated from 1 to 7 days at approximately 95° C. The lipids may then be isolated and purified using techniques known in the art. The lipids may then be screened using high-throughput techniques to identify lipids with a desired characteristic (e.g., solubility in water, solubility at different pH, ability to bind polynucleotides, ability to bind heparin, ability to bind small molecules, ability to form microparticles, ability to increase transfection efficiency, etc.). In certain embodiments the lipids may be screened for properties or characteristics useful in gene therapy (e.g., ability to bind polynucleotides, increase in transfection efficiency).

Polynucleotide Complexes

The ability of cationic compounds to interact with negatively charged polynucleotides through electrostatic interactions is well known. Cationic lipids such as Lipofectamine have been prepared and studied for their ability to complex and transfect polynucleotides. The interaction of the lipid with the polynucleotide is thought to at least partially prevent the degradation of the polynucleotide. By neutralizing the charge on the backbone of the polynucleotide, the neutral or slightly-positively-charged complex is also able to more easily pass through the hydrophobic membranes (e.g., cytoplasmic, lysosomal, endosomal, nuclear) of the cell. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the complex is slightly positively charged. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the complex has a positive c-potential, more preferably the ξ-potential is between +1 and +30.

The lipids of the present invention possess tertiary amines. Although these amines are hindered, they are available to interact with a polynucleotide (e.g., DNA, RNA, synthetic analogs of DNA and/or RNA, DNA/RNA hydrids, etc.). Polynucleotides or derivatives thereof are contacted with the inventive lipids under conditions suitable to form polynucleotide/lipid complexes. The lipid is preferably at least partially protonated so as to form a complex with the negatively charged polynucleotide. In a preferred embodiment, the polynucleotide/lipid complexes form nanoparticles that are useful in the delivery of polynucleotides to cells. In certain embodiments, multiple lipid molecules may be associated with a polynucleotide molecule. The complex may include 1-100 lipid molecules, 1-1000 lipid molecules, 10-1000 lipid molecules, or 100-10,000 lipid molecules. In certain embodiments, the complex may form a nanoparticle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the diameter of the nanoparticles ranges from 10-500 nm, more preferably the diameter of the nanoparticles ranges from 10-1200 nm, and most preferably from 50-150 nm. The nanoparticles may be associated with a targeting agent as described below.

Polynucleotide

The polynucleotide to be complexed, encapsulated by the inventive lipids, or included in a composition with the inventive lipds may be any nucleic acid including but not limited to RNA and DNA. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is DNA. In other embodiments, the polynucleotide is RNA. In other embodiments, the polynucleotide is an siRNA. In other embodiments, the polynucleotide is an shRNA. The polynucleotides may be of any size or sequence, and they may be single- or double-stranded. In certain preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide is greater than 100 base pairs long. In certain other preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide is greater than 1000 base pairs long and may be greater than 10,000 base pairs long. The polynucleotide is preferably purified and substantially pure. Preferably, the polynucleotide is greater than 50% pure, more preferably greater than 75% pure, and most preferably greater than 95% pure. The polynucleotide may be provided by any means known in the art. In certain preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide has been engineered using recombinant techniques (for a more detailed description of these techniques, please see Ausubel et al. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1999); Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., ed. by Sambrook, Fritsch, and Maniatis (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: 1989); each of which is incorporated herein by reference). The polynucleotide may also be obtained from natural sources and purified from contaminating components found normally in nature. The polynucleotide may also be chemically synthesized in a laboratory. In a preferred embodiment, the polynucleotide is synthesized using standard solid phase chemistry.

The polynucleotide may be modified by chemical or biological means. In certain preferred embodiments, these modifications lead to increased stability of the polynucleotide. Modifications include methylation, phosphorylation, end-capping, etc.

Derivatives of polynucleotides may also be used in the present invention. These derivatives include modifications in the bases, sugars, and/or phosphate linkages of the polynucleotide. Modified bases include, but are not limited to, those found in the following nucleoside analogs: 2-aminoadenosine, 2-thiothymidine, inosine, pyrrolo-pyrimidine, 3-methyl adenosine, 5-methylcytidine, C5-bromouridine, C5-fluorouridine, C₅-iodouridine, C5-propynyl-uridine, C5-propynyl-cytidine, C5-methylcytidine, 7-deazaadenosine, 7-deazaguanosine, 8-oxoadenosine, 8-oxoguanosine, O(6)-methylguanine, and 2-thiocytidine. Modified sugars include, but are not limited to, 2′-fluororibose, ribose, 2′-deoxyribose, 3″-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyribose, 2′,3′-dideoxyribose, arabinose (the 2′-epimer of ribose), acyclic sugars, and hexoses. The nucleosides may be strung together by linkages other than the phosphodiester linkage found in naturally occurring DNA and RNA. Modified linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphorothioate and 5′-N-phosphoramidite linkages. Combinations of the various modifications may be used in a single polynucleotide. These modified polynucleotides may be provided by any means known in the art; however, as will be appreciated by those of skill in this art, the modified polynucleotides are preferably prepared using synthetic chemistry in vitro.

The polynucleotides to be delivered may be in any form. For example, the polynucleotide may be a circular plasmid, a linearized plasmid, a cosmid, a viral genome, a modified viral genome, an artificial chromosome, etc.

The polynucleotide may be of any sequence. In certain preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes a protein or peptide. The encoded proteins may be enzymes, structural proteins, receptors, soluble receptors, ion channels, pharmaceutically active proteins, cytokines, interleukins, antibodies, antibody fragments, antigens, coagulation factors, albumin, growth factors, hormones, insulin, etc. The polynucleotide may also comprise regulatory regions to control the expression of a gene. These regulatory regions may include, but are not limited to, promoters, enhancer elements, repressor elements, TATA box, ribosomal binding sites, stop site for transcription, etc. In other particularly preferred embodiments, the polynucleotide is not intended to encode a protein. For example, the polynucleotide may be used to fix an error in the genome of the cell being transfected.

The polynucleotide may also be provided as an antisense agent or RNA interference (RNAi) (Fire et al. Nature 391:806-811, 1998; incorporated herein by reference). Antisense therapy is meant to include, e.g., administration or in situ provision of single- or double-stranded oligonucleotides or their derivatives which specifically hybridize, e.g., bind, under cellular conditions, with cellular mRNA and/or genomic DNA, or mutants thereof, so as to inhibit expression of the encoded protein, e.g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation (Crooke “Molecular mechanisms of action of antisense drugs” Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1489(1):31-44, 1999; Crooke “Evaluating the mechanism of action of antiproliferative antisense drugs” Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. 10(2):123-126, discussion 127, 2000; Methods in Enzymology volumes 313-314, 1999; each of which is incorporated herein by reference). The binding may be by conventional base pair complementarity, or, for example, in the case of binding to DNA duplexes, through specific interactions in the major groove of the double helix (i.e., triple helix formation) (Chan et al. J. Mol. Med. 75(4):267-282, 1997; incorporated herein by reference).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the polynucleotide to be delivered comprises a sequence encoding an antigenic peptide or protein. Nanoparticles containing these polynucleotides can be delivered to an individual to induce an immunologic response sufficient to decrease the chance of a subsequent infection and/or lessen the symptoms associated with such an infection. The polynucleotide of these vaccines may be combined with interleukins, interferon, cytokines, and adjuvants such as cholera toxin, alum, Freund's adjuvant, etc. A large number of adjuvant compounds are known; a useful compendium of many such compounds is prepared by the National Institutes of Health and can be found on the internet (http:/www.niaid.nih.gov/daids/vaccine/pdf/compendium.pdf, incorporated herein by reference; see also Allison Dev. Biol. Stand. 92:3-11, 1998; Unkeless et al. Annu. Rev. Immunol. 6:251-281, 1998; and Phillips et al. Vaccine 10:151-158, 1992, each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

The antigenic protein or peptides encoded by the polynucleotide may be derived from such bacterial organisms as Streptococccus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Bordetella pertussis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Vibrio cholerae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, Treponema pallidum, Leptospirosis interrogans, Borrelia burgdorferi, Camphylobacter jejuni, and the like; from such viruses as smallpox, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, measles, HIV, varicella-zoster, herpes simplex 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, rotavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, papillomavirus, poliovirus, mumps, rabies, rubella, coxsackieviruses, equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E virus, and the like; and from such fungal, protozoan, and parasitic organisms such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Nocardia asteroides, Rickettsia ricketsii, Rickettsia typhi, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydial psittaci, Chlamydial trachomatis, Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei, Entamoeba histolytica, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma mansoni, and the like.

Microparticles

The lipids of the present invention may also be used to form drug delivery devices. The inventive lipids may be used to encapsulate agents including polynucleotides, small molecules, proteins, peptides, metals, organometallic compounds, etc. The inventive lipids have several properties that make them particularly suitable in the preparation of drug delivery devices. These include 1) the ability of the lipid to complex and “protect” labile agents; 2) the ability to buffer the pH in the endosome; 3) the ability to act as a “proton sponge” and cause endosomolysis; and 4) the ability to neutralize the charge on negatively charged agents. In a preferred embodiment, the lipids are used to form microparticles containing the agent to be delivered. These microparticles may include other materials such as proteins, carbohydrates, synthetic polymers (e.g., PEG, PLGA), and natural polymers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the diameter of the microparticles ranges from between 500 nm to 50 micrometers, more preferably from 1 micrometer to 20 micrometers, and most preferably from 1 micrometer to 10 micrometers. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the microparticles range from 1-5 micrometers.

Methods of Preparing Microparticles

The inventive microparticles may be prepared using any method known in this art. These include, but are not limited to, spray drying, single and double emulsion solvent evaporation, solvent extraction, phase separation, simple and complex coacervation, and other methods well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Particularly preferred methods of preparing the particles are the double emulsion process and spray drying. The conditions used in preparing the microparticles may be altered to yield particles of a desired size or property (e.g., hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, external morphology, “stickiness”, shape, etc.). The method of preparing the particle and the conditions (e.g., solvent, temperature, concentration, air flow rate, etc.) used may also depend on the agent being encapsulated and/or the composition of the matrix.

Methods developed for making microparticles for delivery of encapsulated agents are described in the literature (for example, please see Doubrow, M., Ed., “Microcapsules and Nanoparticles in Medicine and Pharmacy,” CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1992; Mathiowitz and Langer, J. Controlled Release 5:13-22, 1987; Mathiowitz et al. Reactive Polymers 6:275-283, 1987; Mathiowitz et al. J. Appl. Polymer Sci. 35:755-774, 1988; each of which is incorporated herein by reference).

If the particles prepared by any of the above methods have a size range outside of the desired range, the particles can be sized, for example, using a sieve. The particle may also be coated. In certain embodiments, the particles are coated with a targeting agent. In other embodiments, the particles are coated to achieve deisirable surface properties (e.g., a particular charge).

Micelles and Liposomes

The lipids of the invention may be used to prepare micelles or liposomes. Many techniques for preparing micelles and liposomes are known in the art, and any method may be used with the inventive lipids to make micelles and liposomes. In addition, any agent including polynucleotides, small molecules, proteins, peptides, metals, organometallic compounds, etc. may be included in a micelle or liposome. Micelles and liposomes are particularly useful in delivering hydrophobic agents such as hydrophobic small molecules.

In certain embodiments, liposomes (lipid vesicles) are formed through spontaneous assembly. In other embodiments, liposomes are formed when thin lipid films or lipid cakes are hydrated and stacks of lipid crystalline bilayers become fluid and swell. The hydrated lipid sheets detach during agitation and self-close to form large, multilamellar vesicles (LMV). This prevents interaction of water with the hydrocarbon core of the bilayers at the edges. Once these particles have formed, reducing the size of the particle can be modified through input of sonic energy (sonication) or mechanical energy (extrusion). See Walde, P. “Preparation of Vesicles (Liposomes)” In Encylopedia of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; Nalwa, H. S. Ed. American Scientific Publishers: Los Angeles, 2004; Vol. 9, pp. 43-79; Szoka et al. “Comparative Properties and Methods of Preparation of Lipid Vesicles (Liposomes)” Ann. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng. 9:467-508, 1980; each of which is incorporated herein. The preparation of lipsomes involves preparing the lipid for hydration, hydrating the lipid with agitation, and sizing the vesicles to achieve a homogenous distribution of liposomes. Lipids are first dissolved in an organic solvent to assure a homogeneous mixture of lipids. The solvent is then removed to form a lipid film. This film is thoroughly dried to remove residual organic solvent by placing the vial or flask on a vaccuum pump overnight. Hydration of the lipid film/cake is accomplished by adding an aqueous medium to the container of dry lipid and agitating the mixture. Disruption of LMV suspensions using sonic energy typically produces small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) with diameters in the range of 15-50 nm. Lipid extrusion is a technique in which a lipid suspension is forced through a polycarbonate filter with a defined pore size to yield particles having a diameter near the pore size of the filter used. Extrusion through filters with 100 nm pores typically yields large, unilamellar vesicles (LUV) with a mean diameter of 120-140 nm.

In certain embodiments of the invention, liposomes are formed comprising an inventive lipid, PEG-ceramide, cholesterol, and a polynucleotide. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is an RNA molecule (e.g., an RNAi molecule). In other embodiments, the polynucleotide is a DNA molecule. In certain embodiments, the lipid is ND98. In other embodiments, the lipid is ND28, ND32, LF94, ND99, ND95, NP103, NP98, ND25, ND₂₀, ND100, NF96, NF103, NF109, NF11, ND24, NF86, NP96, ND36, NF61, NF87, NF95, QG100, NF60, NP100, NF1, NP99, QD99, NF63, LG109, ND103, LF95, QF99, LG100, LF31, LG32, NF109, NF64, LE87, LG77, LG96, ND96, LD31, NG64, ND109, or LG80. In certain embodiments, the amount of lipid in the liposome ranges from 30-80 mol %, preferably 40-70 mol %, more preferably 60-70 mol %. In certain embodiments, the amount of PEG-ceramide in the liposomes ranges from 5-20 mol %, preferably 10-15 mol %, more preferably approximately 10 mol %. In certain embodiments, the amount of cholesterol in the liposome ranges from 5-25 mol %, preferably 10-20 mol %, more preferably approximately 15 mol %. In certain embodiments, the amount of cholesterol in the liposome is approximately 20 mol %. These liposomes may be prepared using any method known in the art. In certain embodiments (e.g., liposomes containing RNAi molecules), the liposomes are prepared by lipid extrusion.

Certain lipids can spontaneously self assemble around certain molecules, such as DNA and RNA, to form liposomes. For some applications such as the delivery of polynucleotides, these are preferred. Use of these lipids allows for simple assembly of liposomes without the need for additional steps or devices such as an extruder.

The following scientific papers described other methods for preparing liposomes and micelles: Narang et al. “Cationic Lipids with Increased DNA Binding Affinity for Nonviral Gene Transfer in Dividing and Nondividing Cells” Bioconjugate Chem. 16:156-68, 2005; Hofland et al. “Formation of stable cationic lipid/DNA complexes for gene transfer” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:7305-7309, July 1996; Byk et al. “Synthesis, Activity, and Structure—Activity Relationship Studies of Novel Cationic Lipids for DNA Transfer” J. Med. Chem. 41(2):224-235, 1998; Wu et al. “Cationic Lipid Polymerization as a Novel Approach for Constructing New DNA Delivery Agents” Bioconjugate Chem. 12:251-57, 2001; Lukyanov et al. “Micelles from lipid derivatives of water-soluble polymers as delivery systems for poorly soluble drugs” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 56:1273-1289, 2004; Tranchant et al. “Physicochemical optimisation of plasmid delivery by cationic lipids” J. Gene Med. 6:S24-S35, 2004; van Balen et al. “Liposome/Water Lipophilicity: Methods, Information Content, and Pharmaceutical Applications” Medicinal Research Rev. 24(3):299-324, 2004; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Agent

The agents to be delivered by the system of the present invention may be therapeutic, diagnostic, or prophylactic agents. Any chemical compound to be administered to an individual may be delivered using the inventive comlexes, nanoparticles, or microparticles. The agent may be a small molecule, organometallic compound, nucleic acid, protein, peptide, polynucleotide, metal, an isotopically labeled chemical compound, drug, vaccine, immunological agent, etc.

In a preferred embodiment, the agents are organic compounds with pharmaceutical activity. In another embodiment of the invention, the agent is a clinically used drug. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drug is an antibiotic, anti-viral agent, anesthetic, steroidal agent, anti-inflammatory agent, anti-neoplastic agent, antigen, vaccine, antibody, decongestant, antihypertensive, sedative, birth control agent, progestational agent, anti-cholinergic, analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, β-adrenergic blocking agent, diuretic, cardiovascular active agent, vasoactive agent, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, nutritional agent, etc.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the agent to be delivered may be a mixture of agents.

Diagnostic agents include gases; metals; commercially available imaging agents used in positron emissions tomography (PET), computer assisted tomography (CAT), single photon emission computerized tomography, x-ray, fluoroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and contrast agents. Examples of suitable materials for use as contrast agents in MRI include gadolinium chelates, as well as iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, and chromium. Examples of materials useful for CAT and x-ray imaging include iodine-based materials.

Prophylactic agents include, but are not limited to, antibiotics, nutritional supplements, and vaccines. Vaccines may comprise isolated proteins or peptides, inactivated organisms and viruses, dead organisms and viruses, genetically altered organisms or viruses, and cell extracts. Prophylactic agents may be combined with interleukins, interferon, cytokines, and adjuvants such as cholera toxin, alum, Freund's adjuvant, etc. Prophylactic agents include antigens of such bacterial organisms as Streptococccus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Bordetella pertussis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Vibrio cholerae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, Treponema pallidum, Leptospirosis interrogans, Borrelia burgdorferi, Camphylobacter jejuni, and the like; antigens of such viruses as smallpox, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, measles, HIV, varicella-zoster, herpes simplex 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, rotavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, papillomavirus, poliovirus, mumps, rabies, rubella, coxsackieviruses, equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E virus, and the like; antigens of fungal, protozoan, and parasitic organisms such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Nocardia asteroides, Rickettsia ricketsii, Rickettsia typhi, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydial psittaci, Chlamydial trachomatis, Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei, Entamoeba histolytica, Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma mansoni, and the like. These antigens may be in the form of whole killed organisms, peptides, proteins, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, or combinations thereof.

Targeting Agents

The inventive complexes, liposomes, micelles, microparticles, and nanoparticles may be modified to include targeting agents since it is often desirable to target a particular cell, collection of cells, or tissue. A variety of targeting agents that direct pharmaceutical compositions to particular cells are known in the art (see, for example, Cotten et al. Methods Enzym. 217:618, 1993; incorporated herein by reference). The targeting agents may be included throughout the particle or may be only on the surface. The targeting agent may be a protein, peptide, carbohydrate, glycoprotein, lipid, small molecule, etc. The targeting agent may be used to target specific cells or tissues or may be used to promote endocytosis or phagocytosis of the particle. Examples of targeting agents include, but are not limited to, antibodies, fragments of antibodies, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), transferrin, asialycoproteins, gp120 envelope protein of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), carbohydrates, receptor ligands, sialic acid, etc. If the targeting agent is included throughout the particle, the targeting agent may be included in the mixture that is used to form the particles. If the targeting agent is only on the surface, the targeting agent may be associated with (i.e., by covalent, hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, or other interactions) the formed particles using standard chemical techniques.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Once the complexes, micelles, liposomes, microparticles, or nanoparticles have been prepared, they may be combined with one or more pharmaceutical excipients to form a pharmaceutical composition that is suitable to administer to animals including humans. As would be appreciated by one of skill in this art, the excipients may be chosen based on the route of administration as described below, the agent being delivered, time course of delivery of the agent, etc.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention and for use in accordance with the present invention may include a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier. As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” means a non-toxic, inert solid, semi-solid or liquid filler, diluent, encapsulating material or formulation auxiliary of any type. Some examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are sugars such as lactose, glucose, and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt; gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; safflower oil; sesame oil; olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols such as propylene glycol; esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; detergents such as Tween 80; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer's solution; ethyl alcohol; and phosphate buffer solutions, as well as other non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition, according to the judgment of the formulator. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be administered to humans and/or to animals, orally, rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intranasally, intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, creams, ointments, or drops), bucally, or as an oral or nasal spray.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs. In addition to the active ingredients (i.e., microparticles, nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, polynucleotide/lipid complexes), the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oral compositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution, suspension, or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the particles are suspended in a carrier fluid comprising 1% (w/v) sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and 0.1% (v/v) Tween 80.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, or by incorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which can be dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectable medium prior to use.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the particles with suitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol, or a suppository wax which are solid at ambient temperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the microparticles.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the particles are mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a) fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone, sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegrating agents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solution retarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolin and bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, the dosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as enteric coatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulating art. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of a composition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols and the like.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of an inventive pharmaceutical composition include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants, or patches. The particles are admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required. Ophthalmic formulation, ear drops, and eye drops are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention.

The ointments, pastes, creams, and gels may contain, in addition to the particles of this invention, excipients such as animal and vegetable fats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc, and zinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to the particles of this invention, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminum hydroxide, calcium silicates, and polyamide powder, or mixtures of these substances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants such as chlorofluorohydrocarbons.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlled delivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made by dissolving or dispensing the microparticles or nanoparticles in a proper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux of the compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the particles in a polymer matrix or gel.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be further appreciated upon consideration of the following Examples, which are intended to illustrate certain particular embodiments of the invention but are not intended to limit its scope, as defined by the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation and Testing of Amine-Containing Lipids

Lipid Synthesis.

Monomers were purchased from Aldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.), TCI (Portland, Oreg.), Pfaltz & Bauer (Waterbury, Conn.), Matrix Scientific (Columbia, S.C.), Acros-Fisher (Pittsburg, Pa.), Scientific Polymer (Ontario, N.Y.), Polysciences (Warrington, Pa.), and Dajac monomer-polymer (Feasterville, Pa.). The acrylate and amine monomers were used neat to prepare the lipids. All possible pair wise combinations of amine and acrylate monomers shown in FIG. 1 were prepared in sealed vials. The vials were then incubated overnight at approximately 95° C. with shaking. The synthesized lipids were used without further purification.

The molecular weights of the synthesized lipids were determined by mass spectroscopy and compared to predicted molecular weights to confirm synthesis of the lipid. Mass spectrometric data are shown in the table below.

TABLE 1 Mass-spectrometry data of amine-containing lipids. Lipid Formula Predicted MW Actual MW LF1 C3₈H₇₅NO₅ 626.572 626.651 LF6 C₃₉H₇₅NO₆ 654.5667 654.6604 LF7 C₄₀H7₇NO₆ 668.5824 668.6972 LF10 C₃₇H₇₃NO₅ 612.5562 612.5917 LF11 C₃₈H₇₅NO₅ 626.5718 626.6789 LF15 C₃₉H₇₆NO₅ 638.5723 638.6649 LF17 C₄₄H₇₉NO₆ 718.598 718.6921 LF20 C₃₇H₇₃NO₅ 612.5562 612.5946 LF21 C₃₇H₇₃NO₅ 612.556 612.5959 LG1 C₄₀H₇₉NO₅ 654.6036 654.8644 LG6 C₄₁H₇₉NO₆ 682.5985 682.8408 LG7 C₄₂H₈₁NO₆ 696.6142 696.9988 LG10 C₃₉H₇₈NO₅ 640.588 640.9817 LG13 C₄₀H₈₀NO₆ 670.5985 670.9156 LG15 C₄₁H₇₉NO₅ 666.6036 666.9696 LG17 C₄₆H₈₃NO₅ 746.6298 746.9586 LG20 C₃₉H₇₇NO₅ 640.588 640.9586 LG21 C₃₉H₇₇NO₅ 640.588 640.9292 LG22 C₃₉H₇₇NO₅ 640.588 640.8809 LG24 C₃₉H₇₇NO₆ 656.5829 656.9402 QF1 C₃₉H₇₈NO₅ 640.588 640.6866 QF6 C₄₀H₇₈NO₆ 668.5829 668.7032 QF7 C₄₁H₈₀NO₆ 682.5985 682.7867 QF10 C₃₈H₇₆NO₅ 626.5723 626.6509 QF11 C₃₉H₇₈NO₅ 640.588 640.6297 ND25 C₃₃H₆₇N₃O₄ 570.5204 570.6493 ND36 C₃₆H₇₃N₃O₃ 596.5725 596.6654 ND75 C₃₆H₇₄N₄O₂ 595.5885 595.6977 ND87 C₃₇H₇₆N₄O₄ 641.5939 641.7349 NH32 C4₇H₉₆N₃O₃ 750.7451 750.8913 NH36 C₄₈H₉₈N₃O₃ 764.7608 764.8723 NH60 C₄₅H₉₃N₄O₂ 735.7455 735.8695 NH86 C₄₈H₉₉N4O₄ 795.7666 795.804 NH87 C₄₉H₁₀₀N₄O₄ 809.7822 809.8638 Q in the lipid name indicates that the amino groups of the lipid were quaternized using methyl iodide. L indicates lipids prepared from the indicated acrylates and amines. N indicates that the ester functional group of the acrylate has been replaced with an amide group.

Transfection Experiments.

14,000 cos-7 cells (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) were seeded into each well of a solid white or clear 96 well plate (Corning-Costar, Kennebunk, Me.) and allowed to attached overnight in growth medium, composed of: 500 ml phenol red minus DMEM, 50 ml heat inactivated FBS, 5 ml penicillin/streptomycin (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.).

A small liquot of lipid was tranferred to an Eppendorf tube. Based on the mass of the lipid in the tube, sterile 25 mM sodium acetate buffer was added to each tube to yield a concentration of 60 mg/ml. The resulting mixture was vortexed for approximately 20 minutes until the lipid was fully dissolved. DNA was prepared based on 300 ng DNA per well of a 96-well plate. 291 μg of Lc DNA was dissolved in 9210 μl of 25 mM sodium acetate buffer. Aliquots of 30 μl of DNA solution were added to each well expect for the last column which was reserved for the Lipo2000 standard. For the last column of the plate, 61 μg of DNA was added to 1940 μl Optimem. 150 μl of media/Optimem was added to each well of plates. 50 μl of lipid solution was aliquoted into wells of robot plate. The following amounts were aliquoted to obtain the correct ratios of DNA to lipid:

For 300 ng DNA well:

μl of lipid from w/w ratio robot plate μl of NaOAc buffer 2.5 5 195 5 10 190 10 20 180 15 30 170 20 40 160 25 50 150 In quadruplicate, 30 μl of lipid was aliquoted onto DNA in four rows for each ratio. For the Lipo2000 control (2.5 w/w ratio to DNA), 152.5 μg of Lipo sample was aliquoted into 1847.5 μl of Optimem. 30 μl of this solution was aliquoted onto DNA in the Optimem in the last columns of each plate. The plates were incubated for 15-20 minutes, and then 36.5 μl of lipid+DNA complexes was transferred into 150 μl of media/Optimem, then add to cells. The media was aspirated off the cells, and 105 μl of the lipid/DNA/media/Optimem solution was added to the cells. The luciferase assay was performed after 48 hours.

Luminescence was analyzed using bright-glo assay kits (Promega). Briefly, 100 μl of bright-glo solution was added to each well of the microtiter plate containing media and cells. Luminescence was measured using a Mithras Luminometer (Berthold, Oak Ridge, Tenn.). In some cases, a neutral density filter (Chroma, Brattleboro, Vt.) was used to prevent saturation of the luminometer. A standard curve for Luciferase was generated by titration of Luciferase enzyme (Promega) into growth media in white microtiter plates. Luciferase in ng per well are calculated for each of the lipids at 2.5 w/w, 5 w/w, 10 w/w, 15 w/w, 20 w/w, and 25 w/w lipid to DNA based on the standard curve. These data are shown in the table below. eGFP expression was examined using a Zeiss Aciovert 200 inverted microscope.

TABLE 2 Luciferase expression (measured in relative light units) as a percentage of that achieved using Lipofectamine ™ 2000 (ng per well) for lipids at specific lipid/DNA (w/w) ratios using 300 ng Luciferase DNA per well 2.5 w/w 5 w/w 10 w/w 15 w/w 20 w/w 25 w/w QG7 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 QB1 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 QF1 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 QG1 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 QB77 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 QF77 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.3 2.7 9.9 QG77 0.5 0.6 1.5 5.6 18.8 29.5 LD90 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.4 LE90 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 LF90 0.5 0.4 0.7 0.4 0.4 0.4 LG90 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 LB64 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 LD64 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LE64 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF64 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 LG64 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 LB31 1.2 0.8 8.3 1.9 1.3 4.2 LD31 44.2 38.7 18.8 11.3 42.8 174.1 LE31 1.0 1.0 0.9 2.5 2.9 9.5 LF31 64.1 78.7 13.4 69.5 97.3 266.8 LG31 19.6 27.6 34.0 8.5 14.3 94.0 LB63 0.1 0.2 0.1 1.0 0.1 0.2 ND28 124.8 116.0 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 ND86 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ND87 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 QB6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 QF6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 QG6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 QB7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 QF7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LB1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 LB6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB7 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 LB10 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB11 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB13 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB15 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB17 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB20 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.7 LB21 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 LB22 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 LB24 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB25 0.8 2.4 2.6 3.3 2.3 1.8 LB26 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB28 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB31 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB32 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB33 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB34 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.1 LB36 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB38 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.8 LB60 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 LB61 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB62 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB63 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB64 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB70 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB75 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB76 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB77 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 LB79 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LB80 0.7 0.8 0.1 0.2 1.0 1.5 LB81 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 LF1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF64 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF7 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF10 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF11 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF13 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF15 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 LF17 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LF20 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 LF21 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 LD28 1.7 8.5 LD86 29.6 16.0 LD87 53.9 43.3 LG34 1.4 0.8 LG77 43.5 34.0 LH28 0.2 0.2 QD28 0.1 0.1 QD86 2.0 2.0 QD87 0.5 0.7 LF22 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LF24 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 LF25 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.9 1.5 LF26 0.1 0.2 0.7 0.1 0.1 0.3 LF28 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 LF32 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.4 LF33 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LF34 0.1 0.3 1.1 0.5 0.2 0.3 LF36 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LF38 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 1.0 LF60 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 LF61 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LF62 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.2 LF63 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.4 LF64 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LF70 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 LF75 0.7 1.0 0.7 1.9 1.7 1.7 LF76 1.7 5.6 9.8 24.3 22.2 19.5 LF77 3.7 25.1 28.2 24.1 17.0 22.1 LF79 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 LF80 2.5 35.1 35.5 34.3 19.9 14.8 LF81 0.5 1.6 1.5 4.9 4.6 4.0 LF82 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.8 LF86 21.5 17.9 19.6 21.2 10.5 10.4 LF87 19.4 11.3 30.2 13.3 11.0 10.0 LF90 0.4 0.5 0.3 1.3 1.1 1.5 LF91 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.4 1.3 1.6 LF93 32.0 50.4 15.0 150.7 143.2 171.3 LF94 41.8 37.7 96.3 114.7 99.0 98.6 LF95 15.3 51.3 44.3 71.8 64.6 75.1 LF96 52.4 62.8 79.3 47.7 64.4 36.0 LF98 2.5 7.9 17.8 17.2 9.5 9.9 LF99 32.2 49.8 26.5 10.7 6.0 6.2 LF100 17.6 70.0 69.0 85.9 44.2 50.9 LF103 43.9 11.6 65.4 91.8 61.6 61.4 LF109 16.0 28.3 16.9 21.9 28.7 49.5 LG1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LG64 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LG77 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LG10 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LG11 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LG13 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LG15 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 LG17 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.3 LG20 2.0 2.5 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 LG21 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.4 LG22 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.7 LG24 2.0 3.3 4.8 11.2 16.4 32.5 LG25 15.9 32.0 43.2 56.9 42.1 63.9 LG26 0.6 13.0 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.4 LG28 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 LG32 0.2 10.2 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.7 LG33 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 LG60 0.9 1.0 0.8 0.9 0.8 1.0 LG61 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 LG63* 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.7 LG64* 0.3 0.3 1.8 1.8 1.2 1.6 LG75* 0.9 1.1 3.1 4.7 3.1 5.3 LG76* 6.2 14.1 21.4 48.6 54.1 92.5 LG79* 0.6 0.4 1.5 1.6 1.4 1.4 LG93* 45.0 43.8 310.5 281.8 185.9 183.8 160A* 0.4 0.4 1.7 1.5 1.1 1.1 160B* 0.8 0.8 1.1 1.1 0.9 0.9 160C* 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.8 160D* 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 160E* 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.3 LD109 9.3 18.6 31.1 20.7 7.0 2.0 LD103 11.6 17.2 24.4 27.1 12.3 6.6 LD100 3.9 1.5 12.0 15.3 6.9 1.3 LD99 4.4 12.8 44.6 27.0 6.2 0.8 LD98 0.2 0.7 0.8 1.0 0.8 0.6 LD96 2.3 0.3 1.3 3.6 1.2 0.4 LD95 1.2 19.5 3.6 9.1 9.4 5.9 LD94 1.5 5.9 2.0 8.5 9.2 7.3 LD93 1.8 4.2 3.9 24.6 15.8 10.8 LD91 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 LD90 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 LD82 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.7 LD81 0.1 0.1 15.2 7.6 5.4 2.3 LD80 0.1 0.1 3.7 6.5 7.1 2.1 LD79 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 LD77 0.1 0.1 6.9 11.1 6.4 2.9 LD76 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 LD75 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 LD70 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 LD64 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 LD63 0.7 0.8 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.6 LD62 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 LG109 16.3 36.0 23.4 37.9 25.7 34.5 LG100 21.5 32.7 11.8 18.0 8.6 8.1 LG98 0.7 2.3 13.2 9.8 6.8 7.8 LG96 46.7 82.9 37.3 32.6 14.1 18.5 LG93 3.6 9.2 19.8 37.3 24.0 24.6 LG91 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 LG90 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 LG87 14.5 7.5 9.2 10.4 5.9 4.7 LG82 0.2 0.2 0.6 0.8 0.5 1.2 LG81 0.7 0.8 1.2 4.1 14.8 19.9 LG80 2.2 11.9 19.8 31.3 21.9 17.4 LH1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH10 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH11 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH13 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH15 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH17 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH20 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH21 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LH22 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Q in the lipid name indicates that the tertiary amines of the lipid were quaternized using methyl iodide. L indicates lipids prepared from the indicated acrylates and amines. N indicates that the ester functional group of the acrylate has been replaced with an amide group. *indicates 72 hours incubation before bright-glo.

The table below summarizes the data as a % of the luciferase activity obtained from the use of Lipofectamine 2000. The table indicates the best lipids for transfection.

TABLE 3 2.5 w/w 5 w/w 10 w/w  15 w/w 20 w/w  25 w/w LD28 1.7 8.5 LD31 44.2 38.7 18.8 11.3 42.8 174.1 LD77 0.1 0.1 6.9 11.1 6.4 2.9 LD81 0.1 0.1 15.2 7.6 5.4 2.3 LD86 29.6 16.0 LD87 53.9 43.3 LD93 1.8 4.2 3.9 24.6 15.8 10.8 LD94 1.5 5.9 2.0 8.5 9.2 7.3 LD95 1.2 19.5 3.6 9.1 9.4 5.9 LD99 4.4 12.8 44.6 27.0 6.2 0.8 LD100 3.9 1.5 12.0 15.3 6.9 1.3 LD103 11.6 17.2 24.4 27.1 12.3 6.6 LD109 9.3 18.6 31.1 20.7 7.0 2.0 LE86 31.1 22.7 22.6 2.5 0.0 0.0 LE87 10.5 9.0 38.4 4.3 0.0 0.0 LE96 13.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 LE99 9.9 5.4 13.7 2.7 0.0 0.0 LE103 20.4 22.1 11.8 2.8 0.0 0.0 LE109 1.5 5.3 28.7 18.0 1.8 0.6 LF31 64.1 78.7 13.4 69.5 97.3 266.8 LF76 1.7 5.6 9.8 24.3 22.2 19.5 LF77 3.7 25.1 28.2 24.1 17.0 22.1 LF80 2.5 35.1 35.5 34.3 19.9 14.8 LF86 21.5 17.9 19.6 21.2 10.5 10.4 LF87 19.4 11.3 30.2 13.3 11.0 10.0 LF93 32.0 50.4 15.0 150.7 143.2 171.3 LF94 41.8 37.7 96.3 114.7 99.0 98.6 LF95 15.3 51.3 44.3 71.8 64.6 75.1 LF96 52.4 62.8 79.3 47.7 64.4 36.0 LF98 2.5 7.9 17.8 17.2 9.5 9.9 LF99 32.2 49.8 26.5 10.7 6.0 6.2 LF100 17.6 70.0 69.0 85.9 44.2 50.9 LF103 43.9 11.6 65.4 91.8 61.6 61.4 LF109 16.0 28.3 16.9 21.9 28.7 49.5 LG25 15.9 32.0 43.2 56.9 42.1 63.9 LG31 19.6 27.6 34.0 8.5 14.3 94.0 LG32 0.2 10.2 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.7 LG76* 6.2 14.1 21.4 48.6 54.1 92.5 LG77 43.5 34.0 LG80 2.2 11.9 19.8 31.3 21.9 17.4 LG81 0.7 0.8 1.2 4.1 14.8 19.9 LG87 14.5 7.5 9.2 10.4 5.9 4.7 LG93* 3.6 9.2 19.8 37.3 24.0 24.6 LG96 46.7 82.9 37.3 32.6 14.1 18.5 LG98 0.7 2.3 13.2 9.8 6.8 7.8 LG100 21.5 32.7 11.8 18.0 8.6 8.1 LG109 16.3 36.0 23.4 37.9 25.7 34.5 LG93 45.0 43.8 310.5 281.8 185.9 183.8 ND28 124.8 116.0 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 QG75 10.0 20.6 34.0 2.7 1.0 0.8 QG76 5.6 16.9 20.7 2.5 0.0 0.0 QG80 1.3 4.9 32.2 68.4 36.2 24.5 QG81 0.7 3.6 41.1 15.5 2.4 1.4 QG82 25.0 24.6 32.6 8.6 2.3 1.4 QG87 89.0 94.0 42.4 64.7 62.1 44.1 QG90 1.1 4.3 7.7 17.4 7.3 5.4 QG91 0.4 3.3 25.9 45.2 18.5 2.8 QG98 2.1 10.3 22.3 14.9 9.3 4.5 QG100 11.2 32.1 57.1 102.6 93.0 94.5 QG109 29.9 40.6 31.3 52.6 51.3 46.6 Q in the lipid name indicates that the tertiary amines of the lipid were quaternized using methyl iodide. L indicates lipids prepared from the indicated acrylates and amines. N indicates that the ester functional group of the acrylate has been replaced with an amide group. *indicates 72 hour incubuation before bright-glo.

Example 2 Testing of Lipids for RNA Delivery

Reporter-protein knockdown achieved by the top transfecting lipids relative to Lipofectamine™ 2000 (where negative values indicate improved knockdown). The assay accounts for toxicity, monitoring expression of both renilla and firefly luciferases, where the latter serves as viability control. For each lipid, 50 ng of siRNA was added per well at specific lipid/RNA w/w ratios (from top to bottom: 2.5, 5, 10, 15).

ND95 ND98 ND99 ND100 NF96 LD31 LE87 LF31 LF95 LG32 19.8058 −4.00473 −10.1961 10.88263 −6.262 15.3558 5.504325 50.09235 36.29344 58.10496 8.318854 −4.48242 −9.86007 −7.54577 −2.03466 −7.89703 −6.92331 11.94445 28.86141 41.51079 −5.20544 −4.63444 −18.2728 −21.4945 63.19863 −15.5821 −8.53319 −0.82516 −2.22361 44.71105 −7.16345 −13.9514 −20.0273 −8.3303 90.8142 −16.8831 −15.2929 −10.5366 −8.09928 −13.6483 LG77 LG80 LG96 LG100 LG109 QD99 QF99 NG64 QF100 LG31 71.00772 2.006687 27.952 33.5374 55.7409 11.53579 9.026287 −11.7697 24.82954 41.00232 −0.05414 −9.08975 −20.9722 15.36957 43.90063 5.050401 −1.83976 −34.6712 1.751482 21.06244 −7.72114 −15.9409 −38.0741 −21.8017 −5.23097 −27.9145 −8.99917 3.073073 −0.8059 −2.71354 −21.3897 −21.0263 −31.1828 −20.7012 −11.1255 −22.3471 −34.0996 1.439032 0.212713 −5.76419

Example 3 Testing of Lipids for DNA Delivery

Raw values for luciferase expression (relative lights units) of best-transfecting lipids at lipid/DNA (w/w) ratios listed. 300 ng of DNA was added per well.

2.5 w/w 5 w/w 10 w/w 15 w/w ND20 6868960 4880532 ND21 1170534 1213862 ND22 721270 1083569 LIPO2000 2467624 1754800 ND24 5256861 1231973 ND25 7548491 5088120 ND28 20925873 1299887 ND32 17713202 2745231 ND31 1154404 936815 ND36 4517622 2945357 ND36 2043526 658985 LIPO2000 3334772 4043316 LIPO2000 2424297 2086728 ND66 835433 1291599 LIPO2000 30344816 28204810 ND94 774425 1382667 ND95 2875811 4619654 ND95 7977064 10279185 ND96 2910700 42837 ND98 5649897 791660 LIPO2000 25489210 14945620 LIPO2000 21192523 19239706 ND99 10252260 9886021 ND100 2713327 294518 ND109 2197484 2087995 NF1 778473 227587 NF10 1192178 838283 LIPO2000 13040527 10774995 NF20 1814886 1801431 NF25 2473702 1366194 LIPO2000 19020395 15427061 NF61 4332331 3689556 NF60 2401570 3739668 NF63 1141469 865897 NF63 3031718 1138429 NF64 384317 2283250 NF70 1605749 887500 LIPO2000 6776111 5451663 LIPO2000 8309497 7617169 NF86 4798383 4087285 NF87 3904993 3436007 NF91 1993690 1670695 LIPO2000 8463204 7664209 NF95 1839462 2082965 NF95 1906488 918612 NF96 3095896 650770 NF100 1061441 8015 NF103 2559344 347240 NF109 2867865 678968 LIPO2000 1397825 1469076 LIPO2000 1897360 2712535 NG61 1452027 765795 NG64 2585784 1972838 LIPO2000 7992593 9351046 NG77 972002 1184771 NG86 1357355 1521687 NG86 1513703 1223360 NG87 823764 1005875 LIPO2000 6188050 5383340 LIPO2000 4484218 6094431 NG95 834849 1208120 LIPO2000 2308433 3627875 NP62 1443678 33188 NP63 1180418 1543275 NP63 1388102 798342 LIPO2000 15535841 14019561 LIPO2000 15019226 14524819 NP86 595340 1323915 NP87 1207376 1192838 LIPO2000 8746668 10523338 NP96 4598787 288439 NP98 7860614 24812 NP99 3202948 9767 NP103 8798627 308844 NP109 37952 19829 NF95 12051 3775212 NF103 19086 7008052 NF103 2886271 772518 NF109 85471 3352713 NF109 1151621 108854 LIPO2000 10602791 11196771 LIPO2000 11152535 11535693 ND20 7521540 435731 ND98 6947385 5165088 ND98 1824773 643862 ND99 11757295 7656193 ND100 5544902 2936058 NF61 458095 3053999 NF96 7037710 3202668 NF96 2048655 167043 NF103 5865613 4028907 NF109 6605163 1767496 LIPO2000 8861025 7852498 LIPO2000 7017261 6964853 2.5 w/w 5 w/w 10 w/w 15 w/w 20 w/w 25 w/w LD31 44.2 38.7 18.8 11.3 42.8 174.1 LD87 53.9 43.3 LF31 64.1 78.7 13.4 69.5 97.3 266.8 LF93 32.0 50.4 15.0 150.7 143.2 171.3 LF94 41.8 37.7 96.3 114.7 99.0 98.6 LF95 15.3 51.3 44.3 71.8 64.6 75.1 LF96 52.4 62.8 79.3 47.7 64.4 36.0 LF99 32.2 49.8 26.5 10.7 6.0 6.2 LF100 17.6 70.0 69.0 85.9 44.2 50.9 LF103 43.9 11.6 65.4 91.8 61.6 61.4 LF109 16.0 28.3 16.9 21.9 28.7 49.5 LG25 15.9 32.0 43.2 56.9 42.1 63.9 LG31 19.6 27.6 34.0 8.5 14.3 94.0 LG76 6.2 14.1 21.4 48.6 54.1 92.5 * 72 hours incubation before bright-glo LG96 46.7 82.9 37.3 32.6 14.1 18.5 LG93 45.0 43.8 310.5 281.8 185.9 183.8 * 72 hours incubation before bright-glo ND28 124.8 116.0 28.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 QF80 0.4 1.4 10.9 52.7 35.1 20.8 QF86 61.1 58.1 53.2 27.8 22.2 19.6 QF87 11.7 41.8 57.2 64.0 53.5 45.4 QF91 0.3 2.1 36.4 51.2 23.0 12.1 QF94 34.2 37.6 42.5 53.6 47.7 35.6 QD99 5.1 22.9 16.9 83.1 91.7 96.9 QD109 40.3 65.7 71.0 60.5 44.0 32.9 LB100 0.0 0.9 13.2 39.9 46.6 29.0 LB109 0.0 0.9 1.9 13.5 47.1 61.6 QG80 1.3 4.9 32.2 68.4 36.2 24.5 QG87 89.0 94.0 42.4 64.7 62.1 44.1 QG100 11.2 32.1 57.1 102.6 93.0 94.5 QG109 29.9 40.6 31.3 52.6 51.3 46.6 ND20 278.4 278.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 ND20 84.9 5.5 0.1 0.0 ND21 47.4 69.2 18.7 2.6 0.1 0.4 ND22 29.2 61.7 48.0 4.4 0.4 0.2 ND24 157.6 30.5 2.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 ND25 226.4 125.8 19.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 ND26 13.4 2.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 ND28 627.5 32.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 ND31 7.7 5.6 47.6 44.9 7.6 19.7 ND32 531.2 67.9 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 ND36 135.5 72.8 84.3 31.6 0.8 0.0 ND95 11.3 30.9 37.6 53.4 37.8 54.0 ND98 22.2 5.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.3 ND98 78.4 65.8 26.0 9.2 ND99 16.8 36.5 78.6 91.7 ND99 132.7 97.5 6.8 2.2 ND100 45.7 48.0 20.8 2.7 ND100 62.6 37.4 2.5 0.6 NF60 6.8 21.9 28.9 49.1 NF61 5.2 38.9 8.6 1.1 NF61 63.9 67.7 7.0 2.9 NF64 5.7 41.9 0.3 0.1 NF86 56.7 53.3 4.5 2.3 NF87 46.1 44.8 0.3 0.0 NF95 131.6 141.8 100.5 33.9 NF95 6.0 9.4 4.7 12.1 NF96 221.5 44.3 0.2 0.1 NF96 79.4 40.8 29.2 2.4 NF100 75.9 0.5 0.0 0.0 NF103 183.1 23.6 0.0 0.0 NF103 66.2 51.3 0.6 0.0 NF109 205.2 46.2 1.7 0.0 NF109 74.5 22.5 3.9 1.6 NP96 43.4 2.6 7.1 8.2 NP98 74.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 NP98 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 NP103 83.0 2.8 0.0 1.5 NP103 2.1 2.3 3.8 1.4 The data in the second set of columns represents is a replicate set of data for certain experiments.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The foregoing has been a description of certain non-limiting preferred embodiments of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications to this description may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, as defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula:

or a salt thereof; wherein: A is acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; V is C═O; R₁ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —SR_(A); or —NHR_(A); wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched C₉-C₁₆ aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; R₂ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(B); —SR_(B); or —NHR_(B); wherein each occurrence of R_(B) is independently cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched C₉-C₁₆ aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; R₃ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —SO₂R_(C); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(C); —OC(═O)R_(C); —OC(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted, heteroaryl; or —CH₂CH₂C(═O)R₁; R₄ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(D); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(D); —OC(═O)R_(D); —OC(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or —CH₂CH₂C(═O)R₁; wherein at least one of R₃, R₄, or R₇ is —CH₂CH₂C(═O)R₁; each occurrence of R₅ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl; each occurrence of R₆ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl; R₇ is hydrogen; halogen; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(G); —C(═O)R_(G); —CO₂R_(G); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(G); —SOR_(G); —SO₂R_(G); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(G))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(G); —NR_(G)C(═O)N(R_(G))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(G); —OC(═O)R_(G); —OC(═O)N(R_(G))₂; —NR_(G)C(═O)OR_(G); or —CH₂CH₂C(═O)R₁; wherein each occurrence of R_(G) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched acyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; an acyl moiety; alkoxy; aryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, heteroaryloxy; or heteroarylthio moiety; n is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; and wherein each instance of substituted refers to the replacement of one, two, three, or more of the hydrogen atoms of an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl group with one, two, three, or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —CO(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); and —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, and heteroarylalkyl and salts thereof.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein

is selected from the group consisting of:


3. A compound of formula:

or a salt thereof; wherein: each occurrence of x is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; y is an integer between 1 and 10, inclusive; each occurrence of R₇ is independently hydrogen or —CH₂CH₂C(═O)R₁; wherein at least one of R₇ is —CH₂CH₂C(═O)R₁; each occurrence of R₁ is independently cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(A); —SR_(A); or —NHR_(A); wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched C₉-C₁₆ aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; wherein each instance of substituted refers to the replacement of one, two, three, or more of the hydrogen atoms of an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl group with one, two, three, or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); and —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, and heteroarylalkyl.
 4. The compound of claim 3, wherein each occurrence of R₇ is independently selected from the group consisting of:


5. The compound of claim 3, wherein each occurrence of R₇ is independently selected from the group consisting of:


6. The compound of claim 3 of the formula:


7. A compound of the formula:

or a salt thereof; wherein: A is acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; V is C═O; R₁ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —SR_(A); and —NHR_(A); wherein each occurrence of R_(A) is independently cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched C₉-C₁₆ aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; R₂ is cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —SR_(B); or —NHR_(B); wherein each occurrence of R_(B) is independently a cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched C₉-C₁₆ aliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; R₃ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(C); —C(═O)R_(C); —CO₂R_(C); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(C); —SOR_(C); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(C))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(C); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(C); —OC(═O)R_(c); —OC(═O)N(R_(C))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(C); or —C(R_(C))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(C) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; R₄ is hydrogen; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; —OR_(D); —C(═O)R_(D); —CO₂R_(D); —CN; —SCN; —SR_(D); —SOR_(D); —SO₂R_(D); —NO₂; —N₃; —N(R_(D))₂; —NHC(═O)R_(D); —NR_(C)C(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —OC(═O)OR_(D); —OC(═O)R_(D); —OC(═O)N(R_(D))₂; —NR_(C)C(═O)OR_(D); or —C(R_(D))₃; wherein each occurrence of R_(D) is independently a hydrogen; a protecting group; halogen; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched aliphatic; cyclic or acyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched heteroaliphatic; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; provided that at least one of R³ and R⁴ is a substituted aliphatic; wherein each instance of substituted refers to the replacement of one, two, three, or more of the hydrogen atoms of an aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, or heteroaryl group with one, two, three, or more substituents independently selected from the group consisting of aliphatic; heteroaliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; arylalkyl; heteroarylalkyl; alkoxy; aryloxy; heteroalkoxy; heteroaryloxy; alkylthio; arylthio; heteroalkylthio; heteroarylthio; —F; —Cl; —Br; —I; —OH; —NO₂; —CN; —CF₃; —CH₂CF₃; —CHCl₂; —CH₂OH; —CH₂CH₂OH; —CH₂NH₂; —CH₂SO₂CH₃; —C(O)R_(x); —CO₂(R_(x)); —OC(O)R_(x); —OCO₂R_(x); —OCON(R_(x))₂; —N(R_(x))₂; —S(O)₂R_(x); and —NR_(x)(CO)R_(x), wherein each occurrence of R_(x) independently is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, heteroaliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, and heteroarylalkyl.
 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein

is selected from the group consisting of:


9. The compound of claim 1, wherein

are independently selected from the group consisting of:


10. The compound of claim 1, wherein

are independently selected from the group consisting of:


11. The compound of claim 3, wherein each occurrence of R₇ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,


12. The compound of claim 3, wherein each occurrence of R₇ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,


13. The compound of claim 3 selected from the group consisting of:

wherein n is 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or
 15. 14. A composition comprising one or more compounds of claim
 13. 15. The compound according to claim 3 selected from the group consisting of:

wherein n is 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or
 15. 16. A composition comprising one or more compounds of claim
 15. 17. The compound of claim 13 selected from the group consisting of:


18. A composition comprising one or more compounds of claim
 17. 19. The composition of claim 14 or 16 further comprising an agent to be delivered.
 20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the agent is a polynucleotide, a protein, a peptide, or a small molecule.
 21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the agent is a polynucleotide.
 22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the polypeptide is DNA.
 23. The composition of claim 21, wherein the polypeptide is RNA.
 24. The composition of claim 21, wherein the polypeptide is siRNA, shRNA, antisense RNA, or a polypeptide encoding a protein or peptide.
 25. The composition of claim 24, wherein the polypeptide is a polypeptide encoding a protein or peptide. 